The former Article 155, with which militarists presented pacificists, democrats, liberals and humanists in Turkey in the past, has been turned into Article 318. The essence is the same.
Article 318 of the Turkish Penal Code is militarism's totalitarian, death-loving and anti-democratic face which works against the culture of liberties and peace. Article 318 is a serious hurdle for the freedoms of thought and expression, as well as preventing the strengthening of the civilian movement and the building of peace.
Conscientious objectors are tortured. Their backers and writers who support them in articles are threatened by Article 318. [...] In the last few years, many people have been tried for "causing people to be disaffected by military service". They have received punishments.
Supporters and journalists on trial
For instance, "Birgün" journalist Gökhan Gencay, who interviewed a conscientious objector, is on trial for this "crime". Birgül Özbaris of the "Gündem" newspaper, is on trial for her articles, with up to 21 years imprisonment demanded.
Dear Serpil Köksal, who read a press statement at a protest in Ankara on 18 April 2007 in order to call for an end to the torture I was experiencing at Corlu Military Prison, for my freedom and for conscientious objection to be accepted as a right, is being tried with up to two years imprisonment demanded.
The same has happened to Murat Düsen and Ibrahim Kizartici, who held banners saying "Do not become a soldier" at the same event.
Our friend Dogan Özkan, who, in 2005, read a press statement in the name of the Istanbul branch of the Human Rights Association (IHD), has been sentenced to six months imprisonment.
I am being tried for the press statement we Istanbul War Opponents made when we protested against Israel's siege of the Lebanon and gathered in front of the Israel embassy in Istanbul in order to show our solidarity with Israeli conscientious objectors.
Just as the controversial Article 301 is a hurdle to the freedom of ideas and Turkey's democraticisation, Article 318 prevents Turkey from achieving peace and democracy.
Campaign against Article 318 and for right to object
Our campaign can be summarised under four headings:
- Turkey is the only member state of the European Council which does not accept the right to conscientious objection. Despite accepting conventions and signing them, Turkey is acting against them. On 24 January 2006, the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) condemned Turkey's government after the appeal of conscientious objector Osman Murat Ülke. The court described the state of conscientious objectors as "civil death". Turkey is resisting the application of the court decision. Following the warning of the Council of Ministers, Turkey promised in June 2007 to implement the decree. We call on Turkey to keep its promise to the European Council's Council of Ministers.
- We call for an end of the "civil death" which conscientious objectors are forced into, as well as the application of Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and Article 9 of hte European Convention on Human Rights.
- We call for the abolition of Article 318, whihc represents a hurdle to peace, democraticisation and freedom of thought/expression in Turkey.
- As if it were not enough that conscientious objectors are tortured, their supporters, pacifists and democrats, are also persecuted. Journalists supporting conscientious objectors are also threatened by Article 318. Personally and as a person organising this campaign, I consider these acitivities of groups and individuals as democratic activities.
I call on everyone to support our campaign with their signature. (HS/EÜ/AG)
* Halil Savda is a conscientious objector and member of the "Working Group Against Article 318".
