Zarakolu Gets Freedom of Expression Award
The award was granted to journalist-writer Ismail Besikci in Indonesia last year. "Terrorism laws haven't been on the agenda in Scandinavia," said Eugene Schoulgin, a board member of the International PEN. "We were lazy, but lucky too. We were shocked to see the efforts being spent here."
After receiving his award, Zarakolu expressed that there still are obstacles in front of publishing in Turkey. "We need a change of mentality in the legal system," said Zarakolu. "Universal basic rights and international agreements should form the basis of this change."
"I am dedicating this award to Dogan and Inci Ozguden," said Zarakolu. "They should have their citizenship back." He added that the arrest warrant issued against Dogan Ozguden should be cancelled, and that the imprisoned journalists Memik Horuz, Hatice Duman, Gulizar Kesici, Ersin Sedefoglu, Erol Zavar and Kemal Evcimen are released. Zarakolu also talked about the problems of the "Gunluk Evrensel" (Daily Evrensel) and "Birgun" (One Day) newspapers.
Schoulgin: The efforts shocked us
"Memory and criticism are a whole," said Schoulgin as he handed the award to Zarakolu. "A community should develop both. It is important for the people in Scandinavia to come to Turkey and observe the improvements of the last 10 years."
During their speeches, Cetin Tuzuner, the head of the Publishers' Union and Ustun Akman, the head of PEN Turkey, underlined the importance of freedom of thought and expression for a community.
Protecting the historical memory
Geir Pollen, head of the Norwegian Writers' Union, said "Zarakolu is not only a person who devoted himself to ancient and modern literature, but also to the protection of minority cultures and historical memory, which is very easy to destroy."
Zarakolu, in his series called, "Marenostrum," in 1999, had extensively talked about the Greek literature and was awarded the Turkish-Greek Peace and Friendship Award by the Abdi Ipekci Committee in Greece. He received the "Novib Freedom of Thought Award" by the Netherlands PEN Writers' Club in 2003.
Chronic "criminal of thought"
The Norwegian Writers' Association referred to Zarakolu as the chronic "criminal of thought," and provided some information on his life:
Ragip Zarakolu was born in Buyukada on 1948. He graduated from the Kabatas High School and then the Economy School at Istanbul University. His Doctorate degree was interrupted twice. First, because of the military coup in 1971, and second, when his teacher Tutengil was murdered in 1979.
He began writing for the Ant and Yeni Ufuklar magazines in 1968. Following the 1971 military coup, he became one of the defendants in the intellectuals' case opened because of the first Turkey campaign on the freedom of thought by Amnesty International.
In 1972, he was sentenced to two years in prison for his article titled, "Ho Chi Hinh and the Vietnam War." He benefited from an amnesty law and got released in 1974. He set up the "Belge Yayinlari" publishing house in 1977 with his wife Ayse Nur Zarakolu.
He was one of the founders and managers of the Demokrat newspaper established in 1979 by 36 intellectuals. He remained under arrest for a while in 1982 because of this newspaper.
He was banned from travelling outside the country between 1971 and 1991. He began publishing the "What's Happening in the World?" (L'etat du Monde) periodicals after the 1980 military coup.
In 1982, he founded "Alan Yayinlari" publishing house. He served as editor in theoretical magazines such as "Problems of the World - Problems of Turkey," and "Second Thesis." He wrote for a number of social sciences encyclopaedias. He was one of the founders of the Human Rights Association in 1986. He is also one of the founders of the History Foundation.
Since 1991, he's been writing for the Kurdish media. He spent efforts for freedom of expression, for the acceptance of the Armenian tragedy, and respect for minority rights. He has taken action against anti-Semitism. He participated in tens of local and international conferences.
In his series called, "Marenostrum," in 1999, he extensively talked about the Greek literature and received the Turkish-Greek Peace and Friendship Award by the Abdi Ipekci Committee in Greece.
He received the "Novib Freedom of Thought Award" by the Netherlands PEN Writers' Club in 2003.
He always supported his wife Ayse Nur Zarakolu, who spent outstanding effort for the freedom of thought and citizens' rights during the years 1980-2002, which were the darkest years in terms of human rights. She was jailed four times and stood tens of trials because of her publications and work on human rights.
Ayse Nur Zarakolu was recalled to court by prosecutors even after her death, for publishing a book called, "Freedom Song."
Zarakolu will stand trial on March 2, 2005 in an Istanbul court for his article titled, "None of Your Business," published in the Ozgur Gundem (Free Agenda) newspaper.
He also faces trials for publishing the books, "Reality will Set us Free," by George Jerjian, and "Lost Villages," by Zulkuf Kisanak. (KO/BB/EA/YE)