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Amnesty International
Aug 1 2005
FULL TEXT: http://web.amnesty.org/library/Index...pen&of=ENG-TUR
Turkey
Memorandum on AI's recommendations to the government to address human
rights violations
RELEVANT TEXT SELECTED BY HOVIK
Some of the articles found within Section 4 of Part 4 of the new TPC
(Articles 302 - 308) entitled "Crimes against State Security" also
appear to be in contravention of Turkey's obligations to comply with
human rights standards. Amnesty International views with particular
concern Article 305 which criminalizes "acts against the fundamental
national interest", especially in the light of the written
explanation attached to the draft when the law passed through
Parliament. The explanation provided as examples of crimes such acts
as "making propaganda for the withdrawal of Turkish soldiers from
Cyprus or for the acceptance of a settlement in this issue
detrimental to Turkey... or, contrary to historical truths, that the
Armenians suffered a genocide after the First World War". Amnesty
International considers that the imposition of a criminal penalty for
any such statements - unless they demonstrably amount to advocacy of
national, racial or religious hatred that constitutes incitement to
discrimination, hostility or violence - would be a clear breach of
international standards related to freedom of expression.
Aug 1 2005
FULL TEXT: http://web.amnesty.org/library/Index...pen&of=ENG-TUR
Turkey
Memorandum on AI's recommendations to the government to address human
rights violations
RELEVANT TEXT SELECTED BY HOVIK
Some of the articles found within Section 4 of Part 4 of the new TPC
(Articles 302 - 308) entitled "Crimes against State Security" also
appear to be in contravention of Turkey's obligations to comply with
human rights standards. Amnesty International views with particular
concern Article 305 which criminalizes "acts against the fundamental
national interest", especially in the light of the written
explanation attached to the draft when the law passed through
Parliament. The explanation provided as examples of crimes such acts
as "making propaganda for the withdrawal of Turkish soldiers from
Cyprus or for the acceptance of a settlement in this issue
detrimental to Turkey... or, contrary to historical truths, that the
Armenians suffered a genocide after the First World War". Amnesty
International considers that the imposition of a criminal penalty for
any such statements - unless they demonstrably amount to advocacy of
national, racial or religious hatred that constitutes incitement to
discrimination, hostility or violence - would be a clear breach of
international standards related to freedom of expression.