Several writers, publishers and translators from French publishing industry unions - SGDL, SNE and ATLF respectively - urged for the acquittal of Sel Publishing House Editor-in-Chief Sancı and translator Yerguz who are facing prison sentence for publishing Guillaume Apollinaire’s “The Exploits of a Young Don Juan”.
The aforementioned unions released a statement, reminding that Guillaume Apollinaire’s works are worldwide recognized and a part of universal heritage of literature.
“Any ruling against the publication of this work will violate the main pillars of democracy as well as all human rights treaties that Turkey is a part of,” the statement said.
“Whatever the ruling will be, it will be the Turkish readers who will be blocked from this work. Not only a manifestation of writer’s personality, the book is a witness of its era and beyond moral criteria.”
The statement also added that France was a country that found its roots in freedom of expression and cultural diversity and therefore it must condemn censure efforts.
What happpened?
Turkey’s Supreme Court Court of Appeals 14th Penal Chamber overthrew an acquittal ruling by Istanbul 2nd Assize Court regarding a “obscenity” complaint on the publishing of “The Exploits of a Young Don Juan”. (EA/BM)
