Author: Tvankchian Parkev

NOT DEAD YET; ARMENIANS IN TURKEY

The Economist
U.S. Edition
November 18, 2006

A diaspora survives

Turkey’s Armenian population is growing

IN THE grimy alleys of Istanbul’s Kumkapi district the air is thick
with a rarely heard language: Armenian. Marina Martossian, who has
been working illegally for five months as a cleaner, is typical of
40,000 compatriots there. She is delighted with her $300 monthly pay
and calls her Turkish bosses "the kindest people in the world".

That’s a big change. Bitter debate over the fate of the Ottoman
Armenians-did the mass killings of 1915 constitute genocide?-has
fuelled decades of enmity. A survey by TESEV, a think-tank in
Istanbul, showed some 70% of Armenians had a negative view of the
Turks: a tenth called them "enemies"; a similar chunk "barbarians".

Among Turks, 34% thought poorly of Armenians (17%, bizarrely, believed
the Armenians were Jews).

Turkey’s Armenian minority dwindled to 80,000. In 1993 Turkey
sealed the border with Armenia, after it seized the province of
Nagorno-Karabakh from the Turks’ Azeri cousins. The issue poisons other
ties too: this week Turkey broke off military relations with France,
after parliament there voted to criminalise denial of the genocide.

Now Turkish officials go easy on the Armenians-in contrast to other
illegal workers. They also welcome changing attitudes among diaspora
Armenians, especially among those who actually visit Turkey. In an
e-mail widely circulated among emigres this month, Kardash Onnig, an
Armenian-American artist, who recently returned from an arts festival
in the eastern province of Kars, says he "never imagined that an
Armenian artist singing Armenian songs could elicit a response of
such brotherly humanity. I was in a sea of Turks dancing to Armenian
tunes. What joy! My eyes were full of tears."

AZERI ARMED FORCES OFFICER CONDITIONALLY CONVICTED BY HUNGARIAN COURT FOR ADDITIONAL 8 MONTHS
Author: P.Kesemenski

TREND Information, Azerbaijan
Nov 18 2006

On November 17, the officer of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces Ramil
Safarov appeared in Hungarian Court for the second time, and was
conditionally convicted by the Court of the Pesht region of Budapest
for a period of 8 months, Trend reports quoting the Azerbaijani
Embassy in Hungary.

The court session was presided by the Judge Tota Dondosh. Ramil
Safarov’s rights were protected by the Advocate Clara Fisher.

It should be mentioned that Ramil Safarov, accused of the assassination
of the Armenian officer Gurgen Markaryan, was also accused of the
resistance against the employees of the Hungarian prison during
investigation. According to the accusation, on June 19, 2004, the
employees of the Hungarian court came to the cell of Safarov and
required him to give the telephone card. Safarov refused to fulfill
the requirement and resisted against the employees of the prison.

During the court session, on November 17, two witnesses were questioned
and after this, the state accuser made a 30-minute speech, where he
stated that Ramil Safarov is accused of the items 229 (resistance
against the state employees) and 170 (inflicting physical injuries)
of the Hungarian Criminal Code, which intend a criminal punishment
of up to 3 years.

The speech of the Advocate Clara Fisher took an hour and a half. She
mentioned the discrepancy in the evidences of the witnesses and
required the court to close the case.

Ramil Safarov stressed that at the beginning of the investigation he
did not understand the Hungarian language. He added that 33 months
have past since the incident, but no incidents with the employees of
the Hungarian prison have been observed.

The Court cancelled the accusation with the item 170, conditionally
convicting Safarov with the item 229 for a period of 8 months.

It should be mentioned that on April 13, 2006, Safarov was sentenced by
the Hungarian Court for life time imprisonment due to the assassination
of the Armenian officer.

WILL THEY DESTROY THE HOUSE OF THE PM?

A1+
[08:31 pm] 15 November, 2006

Tomorrow the residents of the alienation zones of the capital and
the veterans of the Artsakh war will organize a protest action
opposite the Government building expressing disobedience to the
RA authorities. Their initiative has lasted for several days: they
have been complaining against the adoption of the RA draft Law on
"Alienation of property for state and public needs" for the last
three days.

Prime Minister Andranik Margaryan thinks that there is not civic
disobedience, "The discontent of even 100 people does not mean that
they express the opinion of the majority. There always exist people
who are displeased with this or that law. Who says that the President
was elected with 100% votes? There were people who were against it. It
is always so".

Answering the questions of the journalists, the Prime Minister claimed
that he is ready to give his property for the sake of state needs.

Andranik Margaryan also claimed that "the elections must not cast a
shadow on the electoral process, the newly created National Assembly
must enjoy the trust of the people, and only after that the Government
must be formed".

SYSTEM OF A DOWN SINGER SPEAKS OUT ON TURKISH REPRESSION

Blabbermouth.net, NY
Nov 16 2006

Launch Radio Networks reports: SYSTEM OF A DOWN frontman Serj Tankian
has sent out a message asking fans to write letters to the Turkish
government protesting a law in Turkey called Article 301, which makes
it a crime to say or write anything deemed to be "un-Turkish."

Tankian wrote, "Journalists, writers and many others who are vocal are
facing trials under this law. In fact this year’s Nobel Prize winner
for literature, Orhan Pamuk, escaped conviction on a technicality
for his mention of the one million Armenians living in Turkey who
were murdered in the first part of the 20th century."

Tankian asks that fans join members of Amnesty International in sending
emails to the Turkish government asking them to "uphold the right to
free speech and repeal Article 301 of the penal code."

Tankian added that the government of Sudan is also guilty of repressing
speech, explaining, "In the Sudan today, tens of thousands have been
killed and millions more have been driven from their homes.

The Sudanese Government will not acknowledge the extent of the tragedy
and refuses to protect its own people."

In addition to being a member of Amnesty International, Tankian is
a co-founder, with AUDIOSLAVE’s Tom Morello, of the political and
social activist organization Axis Of Justice.

SYSTEM OF A DOWN is featured in a new documentary called "Screamers",
about the history of genocide throughout the 20th century. The film
will premiere in Los Angeles on December 8 and expand to other cities
in January.

SYSTEM OF A DOWN is currently on an extended hiatus following the
release of its "Mezmerize" and "Hypnotize" albums last year and the
touring that followed.

NATO PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY ADOPTED DOCUMENT RECOGNIZING ARMENIA AS AGGRESSOR

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
Nov 15 2006

The document "Role of South Caucasus in NATO" recognizing Armenian
as an aggressor state was adopted in the 52nd session of NATO
Parliamentary Assembly held in Quebec, Siyavush Novruzov, the
Azerbaijani representative in NATO PA told the APA.

"The rapporteurs had been to South Caucasian countries and prepared the
report. We were discontent about the report and achieved fundamental
amendments to the document. After hard discussions in the Azerbaijani
side of the document adopted in the NATO PA the occupation of 20%
of our territories by Armenia, 1m refugees, not fulfilling the
UN Security Council and CE resolutions, committing arsons in the
occupied Azerbaijani territories were reflected in the document,"
Siyavush Novruzov said.

He said for the first time the fact of the occupation of 20% of
Azerbaijani territories is reflected in the international document.

Out of 26 participant countries 25 voted for the adoption of the
document. The parliamentarian said that the role of Azerbaijan in
the energy security of Europe was discussed at the session.

NEW FRENCH AMBASSADOR TO ARMENIA PRESENTED HIS CREDENTIALS TO ARMENIAN PRESIDENT

ArmInfo News Agency, Armenia
Nov 14 2006

New French Ambassador to Armenia Serge Smessow presented his
credentials to Armenian President Robert Kocharyan, Tuesday.

The Armenian presidential press-service told ArmInfo that Robert
Kocharyan congratulated the Ambassador on his appointment and wished
him success in his high mission. The sides consider that the relations
between the two countries may be called fine, which is proved by
French President Jacques Chirac’s recent visit to Yerevan, the Year
of Armenia in France, as well as the Armenian President’s official
visit to France next year.

Robert Kocharyan said that a high level of the political dialogue
in the two countries is displayed in the economic, cultural and
humanitarian spheres. He noted that the economic component of the
bilateral relations has become more substantial during the last years,
and the largest French enterprises are represented in the Armenian
infrastructure.

Speaking of Armenia’s Year in France, President Kocharyan noted
that our country was very seriously getting ready to this event. He
expressed confidence that over five hundred events in different
cities of France will present Armenia in a worthy manner and give
French people better knowledge about the Armenian nation and its
cultural heritage.

In his turn, Ambassador Smessow emphasized that he is ready to
contribute to enlarging the links between Armenia and France in
all spheres.

ARMENIA, EU SIGN ACTION PLAN ON COOPERATION

Mediamax News Agency, Armenia
Nov 14 2006

Yerevan, 14 November: Armenian Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanyan and
Minister of Trade and Development Paula Lehtomaeki of Finland, which
holds the EU presidency, signed the Action Plan of Armenia within
the framework of the European Neighbourhood Policy in Brussels today.

The signing of the document preceded the session of the Armenia-EU
cooperation council, in which Germany’s Deputy Foreign Minister
Guenter Gloser, EU envoy for the South Caucasus Peter Semneby,
and representatives of the European Commission took part, the press
service of the Armenian Foreign Ministry told Mediamax today.

In her speech, Paula Lehtomaeki highly praised the Action Plan which
was developed jointly between Armenia and the EU. She said that the
EU was ready to help with the realization of the document.

The issue of maintaining Armenia’s energy security was also discussed
at the session.

IS ARKADY GHUKASYAN CONSISTENT OR LAW-ABIDING?

Lragir, Armenia
Nov 14 2006

Let us forget about the NKR president running a third term, said Arman
Melikyan, adviser to NKR president on November 14 at the Friday Club
when the news reporters asked to touch upon this issue. "I contend that
Mr. Ghukasyan believes that there cannot be a third term. This is a
credo and this is a real political approach, which is not opportunistic
and is not affected by personal preferences. It was a decision which
stemmed from the public interest. In addition, it was not a choice
between staying or quitting. It was essential to state that the third
tern is unacceptable and harmful," states Arman Melikyan.

He thinks that Arkady Ghukasyan’s move is a serious precedent for
other states in the post-soviet space. Appreciating this seriousness,
nevertheless, it is, difficult not to wonder whether Arkady Ghukasyan
is not running a third term out of his belief, or his credo means
nothing before the requirement of the law, which bars a third term
independent from credos.

"The law bars it, and he acted in compliance with the law. Therefore, I
said it was not a choice between staying or quitting, it was a belief
that he expressed because rumors appeared in the media that he is
likely to run a third term. There is the law. The belief is anchored in
the law and stems from this law," says the adviser to Arkady Ghukasyan.

However, this circumstance arouses doubt. If Arkady Ghukasyan’s
credo stems from the law, the NKR Constitution may arouse other
credos for Arkady Ghukasyan, because the Constitution contains a
provision which provides legal basis for the nomination of Ghukasyan,
and if the parliament majority who support him did not vote down this
provision, it is probable that Ghukasyan’s credo will not change,
say for the sake of the interest of Karabakh, being convinced that
only his staying will save Karabakh.

"There will be a new law, and after all there can be many good laws,
but there may not be will to obey them always, and the decision cannot
change if a letter is changed," says Arman Melikyan. He also says
the public poll on the third term conducted in Karabakh by policemen
on the order of the chief of the Police Isagulov is not evidence to
a possible change of the decision. Arman Melikyan says he does not
have such information, this is not official, and whatever is there,
is a bad favor.

"You see, there are many people around us who make bad favors, and
it is pointless to fight against each of them separately," says
the adviser to the NKR president, who has perhaps advised Arkady
Ghukasyan not to fight against people who do bad favors. After all,
people will go and favors will stay.

"RIGHT OF CHOICE": FOREIGN POLICY STRATEGY BASED ON NATIONAL INTERESTS

Democratic Azerbaijan
Nov 15 2006

The foreign policy laid down by the national leader Heydar Aliyev
is continued with confidence by President Ilham Aliyev, enriching it
with new specifities

The power of every independent state is measured by its successes
in the field of foreign policy. Just countries upholding civilized
criteria, International law norms and principles can protect their
diplomatic interests with dignity and strive for crucial successes.

For the last 13 years the Azerbaijan Republic has been advancing with
confidence to the purposes of the important criteria. The realities
of the last 13 years allow to affirm that in all international and
regional issues official Baku is guided by the general principles
and prefers to establish equal relations with all states, and is
against "double standards". Azerbaijan, advancing with confidence
on the path to building-up of democratic, lawful and secular state,
is based on progressive achievements in the field of foreign policy,
not allowing restrictions in any fields of society.

For the first years of independent Azerbaijan, incompetent politicians
turned out to be in power tried to set out a foreign policy guided
by non-real and obscure "principles" that led not only to regional
but also to international isolation of the country.

Instable political situation, anarchy, chaos and arbitrariness
prevailing in the country that time caused the information blockade and
unjust sanctions against Azerbaijan. When the Armenian aggression was
particularly wide-spread, no actions at a diplomatic level considering
bringing to the notice of international community the true situation
in the country were taken.

After return to power in 1993 the national leader Heydar Aliyev got a
chance to determine priorities of the country’s foreign policy based on
national interests. The great leader’s rich experience in government
and professional diplomatic skills allowed to eliminate uncertainty
in the country’s foreign policy, to regulate normal relations with
the major powers, and to develop dynamic bilateral and multilateral
relations. That time the Head of State faced with the necessity to
overcome double standards towards Azerbaijan; in addition, there
was clearly a need to convince the world in capabilities of our
state to step forth from independent positions in all issues. The
first Constitution of the independent Azerbaijan, developed under
the leadership of the great leader and adopted on November 12,
1995 by national elections, embodied the conceptual foundations,
purposes and principles of state foreign policy. Article 10 of the
Constitution says that Azerbaijan, guided by the International law
principles in accordance with the national interests, establishes
relations with other countries.

The balanced foreign policy laid by the national leader Heydar Aliyev
not only initiated the strategic concept designed for the conquest
of perspective purposes but also was directed to the strengthening
of Azerbaijan’s prestige and position on the international scene and
the solution of the national problems.

The national leader Heydar Aliyev’s foreign policy determined
Azerbaijan’s special place in the modern world, and laid the foundation
of new-quality international relations. Under the direction of
the great leader Azerbaijan’s foreign policy, relations with the
major powers and international organizations met completely the
national interests, and developed in the line of ascent, taking into
consideration the political perspectives.

The impressive successes of President Ilham Aliyev, the worthy
successor of Heydar Aliyev’s policy line are determined by his
devotion to permanent priorities and a single strategy of foreign
policy, and also by undoubted diplomatic talent. The Head of State
Ilham Aliyev makes unbelievable efforts to consolidate Azerbaijan’s
position in international organizations, to develop relations and
win-win relationship with the major actors worldwide. Against the
background of complicated and contradictory worldwide developments,
Ilham Aliyev has managed to strengthen more the political independence
and national security of our Republic.

Faced with the Armenian aggression Azerbaijan has determined a
priority of its foreign policy doctrine – representation in all
prestige international and regional organizations. The representation
in the organizations creates perfect opportunities for the prevention
of Armenian occupation and highlighting the true purposes of Armenian
policy. From this standpoint it is necessary to underline the special
role of the Council of Europe. The parliamentary delegation of our
country attending the sessions of the Parliamentary Assembly of
the Council of Europe since January 2001, from the very beginning
represented Azerbaijan’s interests with dignity and this activity was
positive. Azerbaijani MPs’ activity was not restricted just within the
provision of the Republic’s prestige growth on the international scene
but also pursued a purpose to expose Armenian aggressive policy and
to oppose the Armenian false propaganda. As consequence of the done
activity, the PACE session which was held in January 2005, adopted
the Resolution 1416 which recognizes Armenia the state-aggressor
that illegally occupied Azerbaijani lands. PACE’s Resolution 1416
says that Azerbaijani territories are occupied by the Armenian armed
forces, the Nagorno-Garabagh region is still under the control of
separatist forces, and highlights to comply with United Nations
Security Council Resolutions 822 (1993), 853 (1993), 874 (1993) and
884 (1993), in particular by refraining from any armed hostilities
and by withdrawing military forces from all occupied territories of
Azerbaijan. The requirements were also embodied in the Recommendation
1690 adopted by the PACE last year. Visiting the region in March 2005
the OSCE mission for studying facts in the occupied territories of
Azerbaijan confirmed the fact of Armenians’ mass illegal settlement
in the lands that was reflected in the OSCE final report.

For the last 10 years Azerbaijan has been developing relations not
only with the Council of Europe but also with the United Nations,
the European Union, OSCE, NATO, CIS, OIC, GUAM, the Organization for
Black Sea Economic Cooperation, International Monetary Fund, etc. The
co-operation with the organizations contributes to more elevation
of Azerbaijan’s prestige and realization of various international
projects. The Head of State Ilham Aliyev’s visit to Brussels this
May opened a new phase in relations of Azerbaijan with EU and NATO.

The strengthening of Azerbaijan’s foreign policy, realization of
an active and flexible policy, consolidation of Azerbaijanis living
abroad in a single organized force, creation of lobby and diasporas
are on the focus of President Ilham Aliyev’s activity for the last
three years. The recruitment and structural transformations in the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the opening of new diplomatic missions
in a number of countries can prove it.

At present Azerbaijan has established diplomatic relations almost
with 160 countries worldwide. Henceforth the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs recruits by test in order to provide diplomatic service
with the worthy personnel. That demonstrates Azerbaijan’s efficient
diplomatic activity, strengthening of its prestige and position,
and efficient use of diplomatic tools in foreign policy.

The enhancement of international cooperation is very important
for Azerbaijan aiming to propagandize social and economic progress
in the world. Azerbaijan’s rich natural resources, unique transit
potentialities connecting the East with the West, involvement in global
projects as the main party, and also a balanced foreign policy create
the good prerequisites for broadening relations with the major powers
worldwide. The successful realization of global economic projects is
urgent for Azerbaijan within the political end. At the meeting with
national diplomats Ilham Aliyev informed: "Today Azerbaijan pursues an
independent policy and this is the outstanding achievement. I.e. this
field has good chances that we have to use efficiently. Azerbaijan’s
growing economic potential, progress in foreign policy, and strategic
co-operation with the major powers open magnificent perspectives. We
use and them shall use efficiently further. The embassies that should
bring to the notice of international community the truth of Azerbaijan
play a great role in that."

The embassies operating in different countries are obliged
to propagandize and to develop abroad the Azerbaijani language,
culture, art, progressive traditions and history of our nation. These
criteria as the fundamental political and ideological principles and
cultural wealth of every nation should be permanently at the centre
of attention of our diplomats. They are regarded as a cornerstone for
the provision of cultural-ethics unity of our compatriots abroad. For
that foreign embassies and diaspora organizations should demonstrate
high efficiency and influence public and political life of their
residence-country. Just in this case it is possible to overcome the
information blockade and to bring Azerbaijan’s realities to the notice
of international community.

Non-settlement of the Nagorno-Garabagh conflict is a serious source
of potential threat to the Caspian region. It is very important
that equally with governmental and non-governmental organizations
opposing the false propaganda of Armenian lobby, our embassies launch
a counter-offensive. International law norms, including principal
position of a number of authoritative organizations prove the
groundlessness of Armenian claims on Azerbaijani territories. The
United Nations Security Council Resolutions 822, 853 , 874 and 884
respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan,
and recognize inviolability of frontiers. The documents demand
particular by refraining from any armed hostilities and by withdrawing
military forces from all occupied territories of Azerbaijan. For the
last years official Baku’s diplomatic efficiency, and consistent and
system activity to bring to the notice of international community the
truth of regional developments are being observed. As a result, a lot
of countries recognize Armenia the state-aggressor, roughly violating
International law norms and principles. It causes the weakening of
official Yerevan’s diplomatic positions. According to I. Aliyev,
the processes progressing in Azerbaijan should be extremely clear for
the international community: "…There are strong Armenian lobbyist
organizations working against Azerbaijan. That’s why our embassies
should show their worth in this point. In the residence-country
they must work not only with different governmental but also with
non-governmental organizations, members of Parliament, mass media
and society. That will enhance our positions more."

The Head of State highlighted that today Azerbaijan is broadening
relations with the leading countries worldwide and neighbors. Talking
of his official visits during the presidency, Ilham Aliyev pointed out
the international community’s interest in cooperation with Azerbaijan
in many fields. "…The visits demonstrate once more that international
organizations have a favorable opinion about Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan
is respected and considered. In region related issues Azerbaijan
turns into a leading country. Win-win bilateral relations meeting
Azerbaijan’s national interests are established not only with neighbor
countries but also with other countries. Of course, we’ll reinforce
our bilateral relations with all countries further."

Undoubtedly, the opinions, recommendations and commissions of President
Ilham Aliyev made at the meeting with the heads of national diplomatic
missions abroad are of great importance and are perceived as a concept
of MFA perspective activity. I. Aliyev expects more systematic and
successive work necessary for strengthening of the achieved foreign
policy successes, because some problems of Azerbaijan require strongly
the activation of efforts, particularly in the field of foreign policy.

Elshad Abdullayev, Chief of the Heydar Aliyev International Center
of Strategic Studies and Forecasting, Doctor of Law, Professor.

International Freedom of Expression eXpress IFEX, Canada
Nov 11 2006

CAPSULE REPORT: EU report could help promote press freedom, says RSF

Français: RAPPORT CAPSULE: Un rapport de l’UE pourrait faire avancer
la liberté d’expression, selon RSF
Country/Topic: Turkey
Date: 10 November 2006
Source: Reporters Without Borders (RSF)
Person(s):
Target(s):
Type(s) of violation(s):
Urgency: Bulletin
(RSF/IFEX) – The following is a 9 November 2006 RSF press release:

EU criticises Turkish penal code article under which 65 people have
been prosecuted

The latest European Commission report on Turkey’s progress in its
negotiations to join the EU, together with recent comments by Prime
Minister Erdogan, have revived hopes of amendments to the parts of
the Turkish penal code that most violate freedom of expression.

Reporters Without Borders today welcomed a report on EU enlargement
which the European Commission issued yesterday, saying it could help
to promote press freedom in Turkey. While conditioning further
membership talks on Turkey’s respecting all of its commitments on
Cyprus, the report clearly says in point 11 that "significant further
efforts are needed, in particular on freedom of expression."

Article 301 of Turkey’s penal code, which penalises "humiliating
Turkish identity, the republic, and the organs and institutions of
the state," is specifically mentioned in the report. The conclusions
say: "freedom of expression in line with European standards is not
yet guaranteed by the present legal framework (. . .). Article 301
and other provisions of the Turkish penal code that restrict freedom
of expression need to be brought in line with the European Convention
of Human Rights (ECHR)."

Reporters Without Borders said: "We can only endorse these
conclusions, as Article 301 allows the law to be used to control the
activity of the media. The proof is in the fact that 65 people,
including many journalists and writers, have been prosecuted in
Turkey since it took effect on 1 June 2005. Turkey’s laws must meet
European standards as regards basic freedoms such as freedom of
expression."

The trials of several intellectuals – novelists Orhan Pamuk and Elif
Shafak, the journalist of Armenian origin Hrant Dink, and five
columnists with the leading dailies "Milliyet" and "Radikal" (Erol
Katircioglu, Murat Belge, Haluk Sahin, Hasan Cemal and Smet Berkan) –
gave rise to scenes of violence between their supporters and
supporters of the ultra-nationalist lawyers’ union that brought the
complaints against Pamuk and Shafak.

Not only do the Turkish courts interpret Article 301 in the most
draconian manner, but they also fail to apply Section 4 of the
article, which stipulates that "expression of thought in the form of
criticism cannot be penalised."

The Turkish government and society are split on this issue. Prime
Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s Justice and Development Party has not
heeded the criticism and warnings coming from press freedom groups
and civil society for the past two years.

But Erdogan finally took a position on the issue in the run-up to the
publication of the EU report and after the protests around Shafak’s
trial and the awarding of the Nobel prize for literature to Pamuk. He
met with representatives of trade unions and medical associations,
including the Revolutionary Confederation of Workers Unions (Disk)
and the Turkish Confederation of Employers Unions (Tisk), on 5
November in Istanbul to discuss the possibility of amending Article
301.

After the meeting, he said he was ready to receive proposals designed
to make the article more concrete "if problems exist due to the fact
that it is abstract." He added that, "we will look at options in line
with the spirit of the reforms in the Article 301 framework."

This pleased EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn of Finland. He
said he was "satisfied by Erdogan’s personal commitment to freedom of
expression and to his country’s participation in the EU," adding
that, "we are waiting for this intention to be supported by concrete
steps and for concrete decisions to be taken."

Several journalists who have been convicted under Article 301 say
they will appeal the decision to the European Court of Human Rights
on the grounds that it violates Article 10 of the Convention. Among
the journalists are Dink, publisher of the Armenian weekly "Agos",
who was given a suspended sentence of six months in prison on 7
October 2005 for a series of articles entitled "Armenian Identity",
as well as Burak Bekdil, a columnist for the English-language
"Turkish Daily News", who received a 20-month suspended sentence –
upheld by the highest appeal court in October 2005 – for a column
dealing with the lack of confidence of Turkish citizens in their
judicial system.

Meanwhile, lawyer Eren Keskin, former president of the Istanbul
branch of the Human Rights Association (IHD), faces prison for
refusing to pay a fine of about 3,300 euros for comments she made in
Cologne in 2002, implicating Turkish security forces in a number of
rape cases in the mainly-Kurdish area of southeast Anatolia.

"I will not pay this fine to buy my freedom," she has been quoted as
saying.

Article 301, entitled "Humiliation of Turkish identity, the republic,
and the organs and institutions of the state", makes "humiliating the
government and judicial organs of the state or the police or military
structures" punishable by six months to three years in prison.

MORE INFORMATION:

For further information, contact Elsa Vidal at RSF, 5, rue Geoffroy
Marie, Paris 75009, France, tel: +33 1 44 83 84 67, fax: +33 1 45 23
11 51, e-mail: [email protected], Internet: