Common Dreams (press release), ME
March 24 2006

MARCH 24, 2006
10:45 AM
CONTACT: Amnesty International

Turkey: In Support of Freedom of Expression Media Information

WASHINGTON – March 24 – From 1-10 April 2006, Amnesty International
groups around the world will be asking members of the public to sign
postcards urging the Turkish authorities to abolish Article 301 of
the Turkish penal code.

Amnesty International believes that Article 301 of the Turkish Penal
Code poses a threat to the fundamental right to freedom of
expression. Individuals including human rights defenders, publishers,
prominent writers, and journalists, are being prosecuted because they
have dared to discuss publicly the “official” version of the
country’s history or the role of the army, or have caricatured state
officials.

The case against Turkish novelist Orhan Pamuk for comments on the
deaths of Kurds and Armenians in Turkey has been dropped. However,
this is too small a step on the road to freedom of expression.

Amnesty International members are appealing to members of the public
to put pressure on the Turkish authorities to immediately stop
prosecutions against individuals under the article and to abolish it
in its entirety.