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A VICE-PRESIDENT
OF THE FIDH IN PRISON
Peace is based
on the respect for Human rights: this is the postulate on which the
FIDH was formed in 1922 and which has been the governing principle
of its action, right up to the present day. This is also the claim
Akin Birdal made about the situation in the South-East of Turkey,
for which he has been sent to prison in Ankara: he went in on 3rd
June to serve a two years’ sentence.
Even in present-day Turkey, the President of the principal Human Rights
organisation, Vice-President of the FIDH and well-known and respected
figure at international level can end up in prison for the simple
act of recommending the respect for liberties and recourse to dialogue
rather than violence as a means of settling conflicts.
What can we say, then, about all those unknown to us, whose fate we
know all too well - those who are between arrest and arbitrary detention,
unfair trial or even torture, disappearance or summary execution?
In such a context, human rights defenders are in the frontline, the
very people whose role precisely is to speak out, deplore and make
proposals for action, in order that the Rule of Law becomes the rule,
instead of contempt for freedom.
Among these people, Akin Birdal sets an example: despite the attack
in which he almost lost his life a year ago, despite the current prosecution
and all those that might still follow at the end of the fifteen charges
still pending against him, his conviction and his commitment remain
as strong as ever. This is the vital lesson he taught us once again
when we gathered by his side in Istanbul in February, and again on
3rd June, at the prisongate. He has joined Ezber Yamugdereli and a
few others who know the price they paid for speaking out.
In modern Turkey, which is a pillar of the economic and military alliances
with Western Europe and which plays a crucial role as a partner in
the Region, prosecution for voicing one’s opinion still remains
one of the leading principles of government. And the recent victory
of the nationalist parties in the parliamentary elections does not
augur a significant improvement.
Not long ago, Akin Birdal’s imprisonment, which ‘deals a
serious blow to the freedom of thought’ was ‘deplored’
by the European Union. This far-sightedness is impressive... We expect
much more from the international bodies and governments concerned
: a strong and effective mobilisation, firm, decisive and genuine
action, to free a man of peace from his gaol. We demand freedom for
Akin Birdal.
(From la Lettre n°19, 24th June)
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