TO
THE PRESS AND PUBLIC OPINION
FROM SOLIDARITY PLATFORM WITH IMPRISONED JOURNALISTS (TGDP)
Necati Abay, spokesperson of Solidarity Platform with Imprisoned Journalists
*
4th Trial of Imprisoned 5 Journalists and Columnists on 24th
of October! *
We Call the President Abdullah Gül who says “There is any book which
cannot be printed, there is any idea which cannot be stated in Turkey"
to Participate in Trial To Be Held on 24th of October! *
Freedom for Imprisoned Journalists! 4th trial of İbrahim
Çiçek, Chief Editor of the
newspaper Atilim, Sedat Şenoğlu, Chief
Coordinator of the newspaper Atilim, Füsun Erdoğan, Chief Coordinator of
Özgür Radyo, Ziya Ulusoy and Bayram Namaz, columnist of the newspaper
Atilim, shall be held on 24 October 2008 at 10. Assize Court, Istanbul/Beşiktaş. Since 8 September 2006, penal servitude for life
is claimed for journalists and authors who have been imprisoned for more
than 2 years by alleging that they are the directors of an illegal
organization. As is known, regime opponent journalists and authors are
constantly tried to be repressed and squelched with immaterial averments and
conspiracies, not because of their opinions. It has hundreds of examples.
Nazım Hikmet, Aziz Nesin, Sabahattin Ali were on trial with immaterial
averments and imprisoned for long years. Freedom of thought and expression which is one
of fundamental human rights has been always repressed on this land. Censor
mentality and practices became a traditional state policy. Newspapers such
as Alternative which comes from Gündem tradition were consecutively closed
within the last few months. Yürüyüş
magazine, Atilim newspaper, Azadiya Welat newspaper was closed for one
month. Murat Coşkun who is the author of the book named “Acının Dili
Kadın” was arrested. Ragıp
Zarakoğlu was convicted with accusation of “libel and insult the state
and Republic” due to the fact that he published the book named “The
Truth Will Set Us Free” by George Jerjian. Furthermore Engin
Ceber was arrested and tortured when he distributed Yürüyüş magazine,
and he was killed by torture in Metris Prison.
While all those happen, how one can talk about freedom of thought and
expression? Is not clear that expressions stating censor is abrogated are
completely a cock and bull story, are completely a fraud? And
what should we say for The President
Abdullah Gül’s words “There is any book which cannot be printed, there
is any idea which cannot be stated in Turkey” when he spoke at the opening
of Frankfurt Book Fair. . We call The President Abdullah Gül to
participate in the trial to be held on 24th of October in which 5 imprisoned
journalists and columnists will be tried, if he has the courage and wants to
face up to truths!
We, Solidarity Platform With Imprisoned
Journalists (TGDP), demand release of 5 imprisoned journalists and
columnists in this trial. We
call national and international press profession and human rights
institutions, trade unions, mass organizations, progressive political
parties to closely follow and be responsive to this trial which is the
comprehensive practice of Anti-Terror Law. Freedom
for Imprisoned Journalists! Abrogate
Anti-Terror Law (TMY)! Date
of Trial: 24
October 2008, Friday Time:
11.00 Place:
10th
Assize Court Istanbul / Beşiktaş Necati Abay, spokesperson of
Solidarity Platform with Imprisoned Journalists.
October
22, 2008
CONTACT:
Necati ABAY-TGDP Spokesperson, GSM: 0535 929 75 86, e-mail: tutuklugazeteciler@mynet.com,
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