The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) found Turkey guilty in the case of Mesopotamia Publishing, a publishing house closed down due to “causing public disorder”. Ruling that Turkey violated Convention Article 10 on freedom of expression, the court ordered the Turkish state to pay 5,000 euros for damages.
In 1997, following police searches of three of its local branch offices and the confiscation of allegedly illegal publications, including material allegedly used for propaganda, the Ministry of Industry and Trade brought proceedings with a view to the dissolution of Mesopotamia Publishing on account of its activities against public order.
While those from Urfa branch were accused of housing illegal books, the Diyarbakır branch was closed down by a court and those from Izmir branch were charged with PKK propaganda.
“Relying on Article 6 § 1 (right to a fair hearing), the company complains that its defense rights were not respected in the dissolution proceedings, in particular because it was not duly informed about the case against it or about the evidence compiled. The company further complains that its dissolution violated its rights, in particular, under Article 10 (freedom of expression),” the ECHR verdict cited. By a court order of October 2001, eventually upheld by the Court of Cassation in January 2003, the company was dissolved. (ÇT/BM)
