NGOs Urge for Lifting Article 301

Human rights organizations, trade unions and opposition are organizing campaign against controversial article 301 on the anniversary of the abolishment of censorship on July 24, Monday.

The nation-wide campaign to be launched mid-day involves mass telephone calls to members of the Turkish parliament stressing that article 301 is the greatest obstacle in front of the freedom of opinion and expression in Turkey and demanding it to be abolished as soon as possible.

Referred to as the “Press Freedom Day”, July 24 marks the 98th anniversary of the abolishment of censorship, but in contrast to previous years, at 12.30 Turkish time and for a period of 15 minutes everyone is invited to go on the streets where using mobile phones they will call their own MPs or send them SMS messages.

The campaign, supported by the Democratic Society Party (DTP), Initiative for Freedom of Expression, Labour Party (EMEP), Helsinki Citizens Association (HYD), Human Rights Organization (IHD), Public Workers Unions Confederation (KESK), the Foundation for Human Rights and Solidarity with the Oppressed (MAZLUMDER), Ankara Ozgur [Free[ University and Socialist Democracy Platform, will relay this message from citizens to their elected representatives:

“We declare that on behalf of freedom of expression we defend Agos newspaper Editor-in-Chief Hrank Dink's article which was regarded as an offence under article 301 of the new Penal Code and that we participate in this offence and we request for 301, which has once again proven to be an obstacle in front of the freedom of opinion and expression with this action, to be abolished.”

Press Freedom Awards

The campaign in support for Dink coincides with a ceremony that will be held on the evening of July 24 at Istanbul’s historical Dolmabahce Palace where Turkey’s Journalist Association (TGC) will divide the 2006 Press Freedom Award between cartoonist Musa Kart who was sued by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan for depicting himself as an entangled cat and a chief judge of a central Turkish city Eskisehir who acquitted the cartoonist of the charges.

Cartoonist Musa Kart and Eskisehir 3rd Court of First Instance chief justice Mithat Ali Kabaali will receive their joint awards in a ceremony marking the Press Freedom Day.

The awards, for personal contribution to the freedom of the press, are part of TGC’s annual events hosted since 1989 to reward individuals and institutions who have contributed to those freedoms.

The TGC 2006 institution award is to go to the Turkish Penal Law Association in the same ceremony for the group’s outstanding activities on legal issues related to press freedoms.

It is in recognition of the Association’s scientific approach to limitations and restrictions imposed by the Turkish Penal Code, the Press and Anti-Terror Laws at all levels from draft to debate and approval as well as its activities including discussion panels and forums, issuing publications and working together with bar associations and journalists in this field to attract attention to the public’s right to information and media freedom. (EO/KO/II/YE)