Turkish Daily News , Turkey
Jan 30 2007
What Others Say
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Do you know these facts?:
by Emin PAZARCI, Bugün
Turkey has been arguing about Article 301 of the Turkish Penal Code
(TCK) for days. What is this article about? Why do they want to
change it? Here’s what it says: Insulting Turkishness, the republic,
the Parliament, the government, the judiciary, military and security
agencies is punishable with a jail sentence from six months to two
years.’ The article also says, `Expressions of thoughts meant to be
criticism cannot be subject to judicial review.’ It is rather
obvious that Article 301 does not ban expressing a thought. It only
regulates insulting or denigrating these institutions. This is the
article they want removed. What is more, similar articles existent in
the penal codes of many European countries. Let’s take a look at who
wants it removed. A demonstration was held in Yerevan following the
killing of Hrant Dink. Only Armenians joined this demonstration,
which protested against Turkey. The protesters unfurled banners
demanding that 301 be abolished. There was another demonstration
organized by the Armenian diaspora, known for its activities against
Turkey, in France on Jan. 27. Participants of that demonstration were
also against 301. In 1970s and 1980s, Armenian militants killed 40
Turkish diplomats abroad. Yerevan didn’t even condemn these murders.
Nobody from Armenia participated in the funerals of our martyrs. On
the contrary, the Armenian government encouraged and praised the
terrorist organization Armenian Secret Army for the Liberation of
Armenia (ASALA) in its statements. The Armenians, which blame us all
as Turks, occupied the Karabağ region of Azerbaijan. Some
Western countries aided them and they committed mass murders there.
The West, which pressures us to remove 301, doesn’t even move a
finger when it comes to Yerevan’s occupation of Karabağ. Turkey
is accused of having closed the Armenian border. Armenia on the other
hand demands part of our territory. It does not recognize the Turkish
borders which it wants opened. In addition, it adds the genocide
allegations against us. The West is walking over us when they should
be walking over Armenia. We should view discussions regarding
Article 301 in light of these facts. Only then can you see why they
want 301 to be abolished!