Reknowned author Orhan Pamuk is just one of a number of Turkish citizens currently being charged with “denigrating Turkishness” under Article 301 of the Turkish Penal Code. Others indicted include journalists, publishers, the vice-president of a Turkish human rights NGO.
If found guilty they can face a tariff of between 6 months and 3 years. In Orhan Pamuk’s case this can be increased by one-third, because his offence was committed in a foreign country (an interview given to the Swiss press in February).
Before anyone gets on my case, I have to say that I have a great fondness for Turkey. It’s a beautiful country and is full of warm friendly people. Like a lot of other european countries it also suffers from the occaisional blip. A tour guide I met in Turkey made a big deal of saying that Turkey was roughly 20 years behind the rest of europe, and in some ways this is true.
There is currently a lot of discussion about whether or not Turkey should be allowed to join the European Union, or not. Personally, I hope to see Turkey join the EU soon: I think it’s vital for European security and healthy diversity. I’m sure it will only be a matter of time.
And this legislation… well, it could well be a matter of interpretation (as reportedly stated by the Turkish Minister of Justice)… you decide:
BBC: Turk “genocide” author faces jail
BBC: Leading Turkey reporters charged
Orhan Pamuk is due in court on the 16th December.
