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Freemuse, an independent NGO based in Copenhagen, Denmark, advocating for and defending artistic freedom of expression has urged to release singer and artist Ferhat Tunç, who faces 10 years in prison. Tunç, charged due to his posts on social media, will stand trial on December 14, 2017.
"Hundreds of artists in Turkey like Ferhat facing repression and restrictions on their freedom of artistic expression"
The campaign call of the organization reads as follows:
"Ferhat Tunç is being prosecuted for his peaceful expression ... again.
"For the last 10 years of his over 30-year career as an artist, Ferhat has been the target of numerous government investigations and cases against him because of his music and other peaceful expressions.
"Ferhat is now having to defend himself in not one, but two, new cases against him.
"Together, the charges amount to more than 10 years imprisonment.
"Despite a February 2015 ruling by the European Court of Human Rights that Turkey violated Ferhat Tunç's right to freedom of expression by sentencing him to prison, he is now facing new charges of "propaganda of a terrorist organization" and "insulting the President" in two separate cases related to posts shared on social media.
"Ferhat's case is a testament to how Turkish authorities continue to harass, persecute, attack and imprison artists, cultural producers and publishers. In particular, the artistic environment in Turkey has deteriorated since the attempted coup in 2016, with hundreds of artists in Turkey like Ferhat facing repression and restrictions on their freedom of artistic expression.
The call
Urging to support artists in Turkey, the organization called on the supporters:
"Your actions are important and can make a difference in Ferhat's life and the lives of others like him in Turkey.
"Stand in solidarity with these artists and demand that Turkey drop all the charges against Ferhat Tunç.
"Sign our petition calling for the charges to be dropped.
"Share the message on your social media".
Trials, investigations and prosecutions of Ferhat Tunç
* Charged with promoting Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), People's Protection Units (YPG) and Women's Protection Units (YPJ), Tunç will stand trial at Çağlayan Courthouse in İstanbul on December 14, 2017 at 9 a.m.
* A lawsuit was filed against Tunç in October 2017, on charge of "defaming the President" on his social media account.
* On June, 14, 2017 Tunceli Governorship considered a conversation of Tunç with Kemal Gün, who was on a hunger strike demanding that the dead body of his son be handed over to him for a funeral, a crime and sentenced Tunç to pay a fine.
* On 27 June 2012, Dersim Malatya Third High Criminal Court sentenced Tunç to two years in prison for having promoted İbrahim Kaypakkaya in a speech he held during May 1 celebrations in 2011. The case was filed against Ferhat Tunç for having said: "I salute you in the revolutionary spirit of Deniz Gezmiş, Mahir Çayan, İbrahim Kaypakkaya, et al," while he was performing at a concert on 1 May 2011 in the predominantly Kurdish province of Dersim in eastern Turkey.
*Two lawsuits and seven investigations were opened against Kurdish singer Ferhat Tunç due to his speeches delivered during the run-up to the general election on 12 June 2011. Tunç was campaigning as deputy candidate of the Labour, Democracy and Freedom Block for Dersim.
* In February 2015, The European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) convicted Turkey of violating freedom of speech in the case of singer Ferhat Tunç. A Turkish court had sentenced Ferhat Tunç to three months in prison and ordered him to pay a fine for having made dissident comments during a concert on 4 August 2003.
About Freemuse
Freemuse is an independent international membership organisation based in Copenhagen, Denmark, advocating for and defending artistic freedom of expression. It was founded in 1998, borne out of the 1st World Conference on Music and Censorship held in Copenhagen, and focused on censorship in music, as conference attendees – which included musicians, journalists, researchers, record industry professionals and human rights activists – observed the urgent need to create a new organisation that represented musicians and composers who were suffering at the alarmingly widespread practice of censorship.
The organisation broadened its scope in 2011 to include advocacy, documentation and monitoring of artistic freedom across all art forms, initiating Artsfex, a global network of like-minded organisations, institutions and advocates all aimed at protecting artistic freedom across the world.
Its advocacy work is achieved through campaigns, actions and projects that serve to protect or enhance artistic freedom globally, as well as providing assistance to artists at risk. Since 2012 Freemuse has held Special Consultative Status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), providing research and guidance on artistic freedom issues around the world.
They also document and monitor violations on artistic freedom globally, through original reporting, 24/7 media monitoring and via their extended network, culminating in an annual report, released in the beginning of the calendar year, framing the worldwide landscape of violations against artists expressing their artistic freedom. (HK/MB/DG)
