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Turkey: Article 301 called into question in Turkey

November 30, 2006

In Turkey, the majority of writers in prison are sentenced under article 301 of the penal code which outlaws “insulting Turkishness.” Under pressure from the European Commission to stop human rights abuses, Turkey may consider amending or repealing this dangerous statute.
Read more from International PEN below

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From International PEN:

In the past few days, the has European Commission has demanded that Turkey meet commitments it has made, including the opening of its airports and ports to Cypriot traffic, and to improve human rights, including the right to freedom of expression specifically by amending Article 301 with the aim of ending the prosecution of writers and authors. The Commission demands that these changes be made before the next European Council summit on 15 December. However the changes will need to have been put in place by the Turkish authorities in the first week of December to enable the Commission to prepare its report on Turkey’s accession to the Council.

*** Joint PEN, Article 19 and IPA Statement ***

To ensure that PEN’s concerns are heard at this stage of the debate, we have decided to bring forward actions on Turkey. Today a joint statement International PEN, Article 19 and the International Publisher’s Association has been issued calling for the repeal of Article 301

Click for text of the appeal

*** Background Report ***

English PEN member, Maureen Freely, an author, journalist, academic and Orhan Pamuk’s translator has written a report for International PEN’s campaign giving a historical perspective on the use of insult laws in Turkey.

Click below for the International PEN report.
CONTACT PEN USA BEFORE REPRODUCING THIS REPORT, OR ANY PART OF IT FOR PUBLICATION
TurkeyReport

Also available is a commentary on Turkish legislation and insulted issued by the WiPC International PEN, and a list of cases of writers, journalists and publishers on trial under defamation laws. For copies contact sara.whyatt@internationalpen.org.uk

** Links
Useful websites based in Turkey that cover freedom of expression are:

Initiative for Freedom of Expression http://www.antenna-tr.org/index.asp?lgg=en

BiaNet – http://www.bianet.org