Author Topic: First it was the journalists...  (Read 2458 times)

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Offline JohnF

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First it was the journalists...
« on: January 15, 2016, 13:06:00 PM »
...now it's the teachers and academics.

On Monday, 1,128 academics from 89 universities across Turkey jointly signed an open letter/declaration calling for peace in the south east of the country.  A harmless enough act in most countries, but not in the Turkey of today. 

Blasted by little reginald as being a fifth column of foreign powers, he called them colonialists and traitors. 

Cue the expected response from the "authorities" - let the witch hunt begin.

14 arrested so far, 130 being investigated with criminal charges likely to follow and the majority of the rest being investigated by their own institutions.  We've even got a fecking Istanbul gangster weighing in saying "the blood of those academics will be spilled for signing the declaration".

Just think, if we had a penal version of University Challenge, Turkey would win hands down.

More here: HDN TZ

JF



Offline JohnF

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Re: First it was the journalists...
« Reply #1 on: January 15, 2016, 13:29:35 PM »
I haven't found a verified full text translation, but this is from Bianet:


We ask the state to put an end to violence inflicted against citizens right now, we as academics and researchers of this country declare that we won’t be a party to this crime and that promise that we will sustain our stance in the presence of political parties, parliament and international public.

As academics and researchers of this country, we will not be a party to this crime!

The Turkish state has effectively condemned its citizens in Sur, Silvan, Nusaybin, Cizre, Silopi, and many other towns and neighborhoods in the Kurdish provinces to hunger through its use of curfews that have been ongoing for weeks. It has attacked these settlements with heavy weapons and equipment that would only be mobilized in wartime. As a result, the right to life, liberty, and security, and in particular the prohibition of torture and ill-treatment protected by the constitution and international conventions have been violated.

This deliberate and planned massacre is in serious violation of Turkey’s own laws and international treaties to which Turkey is a party. These actions are in serious violation of international law.

We demand the state to abandon its deliberate massacre and deportation of Kurdish and other peoples in the region. We also demand the state to lift the curfew, punish those who are responsible for human rights violations, and compensate those citizens who have experienced material and psychological damage. For this purpose we demand that independent national and international observers to be given access to the region and that they be allowed to monitor and report on the incidents.

We demand the government to prepare the conditions for negotiations and create a road map that would lead to a lasting peace which includes the demands of the Kurdish political movement. We demand inclusion of independent observers from broad sections of society in these negotiations. We also declare our willingness to volunteer as observers. We oppose suppression of any kind of the opposition.

We, as academics and researchers working on and/or in Turkey, declare that we will not be a party to this massacre by remaining silent and demand an immediate end to the violence perpetrated by the state. We will continue advocacy with political parties, the parliament, and international public opinion until our demands are met.


JF

Offline kevin3

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Re: First it was the journalists...
« Reply #2 on: January 15, 2016, 16:41:28 PM »


  How dare the citizens of Turkey ask for peace and justice.!!

Offline Anne

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Re: First it was the journalists...
« Reply #3 on: April 22, 2016, 16:23:20 PM »
Thanks John.
Looks like I wasn't the only one who missed it  :)

Offline nichola

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Re: First it was the journalists...
« Reply #4 on: April 22, 2016, 17:08:52 PM »
Those that live here didn't miss it but many that live here don't feel able to comment if you get my drift.

There is a FB group called News in Turkey, if you want the latest as it happens

Offline JohnF

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Re: First it was the journalists...
« Reply #5 on: April 22, 2016, 18:08:37 PM »
In addition to those appearing in court, many signatories have lost their jobs, their homes and the ability to earn a living in their chosen field.  They've been accused of being Gulenists, terrorists, members of the PKK and every other accusation in modern Turkey that can see you jailed or sacked.

Is it any wonder folks are starting to keep their own counsel, the consequences of saying the wrong thing, in front of the wrong person, are frightening.  The current government are making the Stasi of East Germany from the fifties and sixties look benevolent.

JF




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