Prosecution Considers ‘Genocide’ Concept Within Scope of Freedom of Expression

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Commemoration of April 24, 1915 Armenian Genocide, which has been organized every year since 2015 by the Human Rights Association (İHD), was obstructed by police this year.

Ahead of the commemoration, police had told İHD that they could make the statement without using the words “Genocide” and “Massacre” in Sultanahmet, İstanbul.

Refusing to make a statement without using the concept of genocide, the İHD had left Sultanahmet.

“Even though it is disturbing…”

An investigation has been launched by İstanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office Press Offences on charge of “inciting people to enmity and hostility”.

According to the statement issued by the İHD, Press Offences Prosecutor ordered non-prosecution.

Citing verdicts of European Convention on Human Rights and European Court of Human Rights in the decision, and it was stated, “even though it qualifies to be disturbing, different interpretations of subjects that interest historians are within the scope of freedom of expression and thought”.

Three activists were detained

Leman Yurtsever, Jiyan Tosun and Gamze Özdemir, who brought photos of Armenians who were massacred in the genocide and banner of Commission Against Racism and Discrimination reading “Recognize Armenian Genocide, Appeal for Mercy, Compensate” to the meeting ahead of the commemoration on April 24.

The activists were subjected to physical and verbal ill-treatment, handcuffed, forced to listen to racist songs and they were released following the deposition at the police station. (PT/TK)