On trial since September 2010, Turkish publisher Ragip Zarakolu and writer Mehmet Guler were convicted on March 10 for “propaganda for the PKK,” the Kurdistan Workers’ Party, in the book The KCK File: Global State and Kurds Without a State.
Zarakolu faces a prison sentence of more than seven years for publishing the book, which was banned and confiscated in May 2010, after being published at the first Book Fair in Diyarbakir, Turkey.
Zarakolu is one of the founding members of the Turkish Association for Human Rights and is chair of the Committee for Freedom of Publication in Turkey. He was on trial under Article 301 of the Turkish penal code for his publications on Turkish taboos (the Armenian Genocide, “Kurdish Question,” role of the army in political life, torture). Zarakolu, along with his wife Ayse, who passed away in 2002, have since the 1970’s been subjected to harassment, trials, and periods of imprisonment for publishing books on the Armenian Genocide.
“Turkey once again has denied its commitment to constitutional reforms towards the European Union,” said Hilda Tchoboian, president of the European Armenian Federation. “Turkish leaders’ declarations about positive change towards democracy and free speech are mere fictional statements.”
The federation has repeatedly alerted the European Union to such condemnations of Turkish intellectuals and journalists under the controversial Article 301, which makes it illegal to “insult Turkishness.”
By having adopted the report on Turkey written by rapporteur Oomen-Ruijten on Feb. 10—which omitted any mention of the genocide, Cyprus, or the Kurds—the European Parliament has supported Turkey in its refusal to admit its state crimes, said Tchoboian.
“The European Parliament failed to give the right signal to that country regarding the Armenian Genocide. It is a disservice to Turkish Democrats and to Turkey to import that taboo in Europe, while Turkish intellectuals consistently take important risks to get rid of denial policy,” she said.
The European Armenian Federation, based in Brussels, is the biggest and most influential Armenian grassroots organization in Europe. For more information, visit http://eafjd.eu/spip.php?lang=en.
Zarkat-olu or Oglo or Oghlo
This Man has a saintful Face
His smile speaks from his innocent clear mind,
His name means Blue (Azrak—Zarak)
Could be blue skies
Could be his family’s name
arrived because of his mother’s blue colored eyes.
Always blue means serenity of hearts.
He doesn’t care if he dies
or insulted by criminals…
Because He has principles in His heart
For which He will live
Till he sighs…
As this is the end every one of us…yv
I am happy for every end…
If it starts with principles
That human
He will never end.
Sylva-MD-Poetry
Written instantly
Turks so modern and advanced? HARDLY!
7 year prison term for PUBLISHING A BOOK?
What kind of backward dysfunctional society is that?
Democracy in action – but adulterated – in usual Turkish style. Manooshag
Bravo to Zarakolu! Free Speech! Free Thinking! Civil Disobedience Against Mind-bending! Can’t stop the Truth!
Where was God…
When 1.5 Million of Armenian were slayed (lyrical word for slain)
Till today every Christian president
Forget the honest Armenians…
Who are faithful to Humanity and to every religion before BC and after
American Politicians respect the scavengers
Who are killing Kurds
Every civilized politicians call them rebels…
Who are the rebels…Aren’t they The Seljuks
Who invaded and killed and Turkified every Christian
Confiscating even their crosses of their chest
And sending them to Der-Zor Dessert to dry there
Where their skeletons’ are still seen under the sun-rays…
America believes Turkey is a secular state
Jailing honest Journalists (50 recently and 100s’ just few months before)
Those never killed any one
Can any writer on the CSM (Christian Science Monitor)
Follow Mr Ragip Zarakolo…Why he is jailed…?
He was jailed only because they found in his home
A book about Armenian Genocide…
Is this a reason to be jailed…!
Let every one know…why he was Jailed …
Is he criminal, did he kill any one…
All the politicians should be jailed
Because they are betrayers, liars
They promise to recognize Armenian Genocide
Once they reach their blue chair…they forget
They are not better than harassers
Who are able to harass women…
I think worse…Because harassers can hurt few
But Genocided people are Innocent Millions…
They’re not only been harassed but they were killed after been raped
Every historian published it since 1915-1923 and
Recently was confirmed by the Vatican
Do you define all those who protects and
Cover their un-humanitarian mistakes being Christian…
Is the religion important as a faith or the Humanity…!!!
For my consept and many others,
The Beduins are more faithful and have real humanitarian faith
As they confess that Armenians where genocided…one-by-one…
Sylva-MD-Poetry
Written Instantly