Reaction to exclusion
Ahmet Türk, Mardin MP and former co-president for the pro-Kurdish Democratic Society Party (DTP) had criticized army high command to the press saying "It has become clear who is really being 'separatist', a word which they use continuously [to blame others]," in reaction to their exclusion from the traditional Turkish Army reception on 30 August, the Victory Holiday.
Ankara Chief Public Prosecution is reported to start an investigation on Türk's criticism and an indictment is on the way. Turkish parliament will have to vote for lifting his immunity, if he is indicted.
Statement of support
Reputed rights activists and academics including professors Baskın Oran, Murat Belge, Ahmet Insel, Ibrahim Kaboglu, and Gencay Gürsoy as well as columnists and writers such as Ali Bayramoglu, Etyen Mahcupiyan, Ömer Laciner, Aydin Engin and Oya Baydar, have declared a common statement in defense of Türk saying:
"We are worried that the report which the Ankara Chief Public Prosecution is preparing in order to lift the immunity of DTP MP Ahmet Türk will open new chasms in our democracy and deepen the cracks in our social structure."
"The report is based on Ahmet Türk's utterance when he was asked insistent questions after the DTP MPs were not invited to the General Staff's 30 August Victory Day reception. He said, 'It has become clear who is really being separatist, a word which they use continuously.'"
"We take part in this 'crime'"
"We also believe that it is discrimination that the MPs of a party which entered parliament with around 2 million votes and in democratic elections were not invited to the 30 August (reception), and that Türk was expressing that point. We believe that Türk's utterance does not represent a crime in terms of the freedom of thought and expression, and that there should be no institution in this country which cannot be criticised."
"In a country which claims to be ruled by law, Ahmet Türk's words cannot represent a crime. If they are nevertheless considered a crime, then we announce that we take part in this 'crime'."
International support
There were international messages of support from American linguist and writer Noam Chomsky and A World Association of Writers' (PEN) secretary Eugene Schoulgin.
Chomsky said in his message, "I congratulate Türk on openly objecting to the discrimination." He added that he found it "surprising that the basic right of using one's freedom of expression should be punished." Chomsky further expressed his admiration for the support Türk was receiving in Turkey.
Schoulgin wrote that the procedure initiated against Türk showed how little the higher level of the judiciary understood the freedom of expression and democracy. At a time when there were attempts to carry out reforms in modern Turkey, this kind of decision was demoralising, he added. (TK/AG)
