AI: Turkey bulletin

[kurdeng at aps.nl]

           id VT26509; Thu, 16 Nov 1995 16:12:35 -0800

------------ Forwarded from : Ray Mitchell <rmitchellai at gn.apc.org> ------------

+------------------------------------------------------+
+     AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL URGENT ACTION BULLETIN     +
+     Electronic distribution authorised               +
+------------------------------------------------------+

EXTERNAL                                               AI Index: EUR 44/131/95

                                                             13 November 1995

Further information (7) on UA 81/95 (EUR 44/44/95, 28 March 1995) and follow-
ups (EUR 44/47/95, 31 March; EUR 44/49/95, 6 April; EUR 44/62/95, 26 May; EUR
44/63/95, 1 June, EUR 44/64/95, 2 June 1995 and EUR 44/77/95, 12 July 1995) -
Prisoner of Conscience / Fear of Torture / Fear for Safety  / Medical Concern

TURKEY      Eren Keskin (f), lawyer and member of Istanbul Human Rights
            Association


As a result of legal changes which came into force on 30 October 1995, lawyer
and human rights activist Eren Keskin has been released pending retrial.
Largely as a result of pressure by the European Parliament, modifications were
made to the wording of Article 8 of the Anti-Terror Law, under which most
prisoners of conscience in Turkey are held.  Although the reform of Article 8
is unsatisfactory and still permits the prosecution of people for their non-
violent opinions, the changes mean that all existing convictions must be
reviewed by the courts.

Eren Keskin told Amnesty International: "On 9 November, I was brought before
Istanbul State Security Court No 3.  The soldiers brought me into court in
handcuffs - this is actually against Turkish legal procedure, but they were
being obstinate.  Anyway, on the judge's insistence they took off the
handcuffs and the court hearing started.  I am now being retried for the same
offence, but while the trial continues I have been released.

"I got cards from various parts of the world - many different places.  They
not only send me messages of support, but also copies of the letters they had
written to the government here in Turkey.  Unfortunately I was never able to
receive the flowers sent by Amnesty International at the time of my arrest.
The prison officials refused to let them in the prison, for fear that I might
injure somebody with the flower-pot!... well, we experience such comic things
here...

"Wherever there are women suffering around the world I now feel closer to them
after my prison experiences.  I felt very strongly the support of Amnesty
International during my months in prison.  But imprisonment has not changed my
opinions or my determination to work for human rights and for women's
freedoms."

Eren Keskin was arrested on 1 June 1995 to serve a two years and six months'
prison sentence for writing and publishing "separatist propaganda".  Amnesty
International considered her to be a prisoner of conscience and continues to
call for her release to be made unconditional and for the charges against her
to be dropped.  Her next hearing is scheduled for 16 January 1996.  However,
no further action by the Urgent Action Network is requested at present.  Thank
you to all who sent appeals on behalf of Eren Keskin.

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