Turkey Regional Action Network
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GOOD NEWS!
Mehmet Desde was released from prison on October 6, 2008. Amnesty International continues to monitor his situation and will provide updates when possible. Thank you to all those who took action on his behalf.
Mehmet Desde, a 48-year-old German national of Kurdish origin, was imprisoned 8 June 2007 because of his non-violent political beliefs. He was convicted in an unfair trial, largely on the basis of statements allegedly extracted under torture. He faces a 30-month prison sentence, of which he will serve around 17 months.
Amnesty International considers him a prisoner of conscience.
Desde was one of several men charged with founding an illegal organization under Article 7 of Law No. 3713 to Fight Terrorism, which is also applied to illegal organizations that have not conducted violent activities. The party is the Bolshevist Party (North Kurdistan-Turkey). The trial was held in late 2002 and early 2003. During the trial Desde testified, "I was subjected to severe torture, they took off all my clothes and said they would rape me. I do not accept the charges because I am innocent." He further testified, "They hit me on my back and my chest with great force."
Write in his behalf to:
Ambassador Nabi Sensoy [Salutation: Your Excellency]
Embassy of the Republic of Turkey
2525 Massachusetts Avenue NW
Washington DC 20008
email: embassy@turkey.org
You can also write to him directly. We've received word that Mehmet Desde has received over 2500 pieces of correspondence from Amnesty International members and others. These messages are a source of comfort for him. Please continue writing! Until recently he was only allowed to receive letters written in Turkish, but it's been reported that he can now also receive letters in English. Here's a brief message in Turkish that you can use in writing to him:
Bay Mehmet Desde,
Siz unutulmadiniz! Sizin yaninizdayiz! Uluslararasi Af sizi bir vicdan suclusu sayiyor ve, siz ozgur oluncaya dek sizin icin bu kampanyayi devam ettirecektir.
Translation: "You are not forgotten. Amnesty International considers you to be a "prisoner of conscience;" we are with you in solidarity, and will continue to campaign for your release."
His address:
Bay Mehmet Desde
B Tipi Kapali Cezaevi
Tire Izmir
Turkey
Some AI members have received a note from him. One of them (including his spelling and grammar):
"I took your letter. Thank you very much. Thank you for your support and solidarity. Many people expressed solidarity with me. Whatever they think, I'm not guilty. I'm a political prisoner. I'm in a high security prison. I stay with three frinds in a room. We don't see another prisoner. We live in complete isolation from the another prisoner. I don't take English letter but I write and send English letter wishing you peace and happiness for the future. I want to my liberty.Prisoner of freedom,
Mehmet Desde, January 2008
Much love."
Visit this web site for the text of other messages from him: http://aiusa149.blogspot.com/2007/12/mehmet-desde-writes-back-from-high.html
Click here for more background on Group 30's actions on Turkey.
More information:
Democratic Turkey Forum
Amnesty International
Mehmet Bal (m), aged 33, conscientious objector
Conscientious objector Mehmet Bal was transferred to a military prison in the southern city of Adana on 13 June 2008, to stand trial before a military court. Amnesty International considers him to be a prisoner of conscience, detained solely for refusing to serve in the aimed forces. Mehmet Bal is being tried for three charges of persistent insubordination and one charge of desertion. The charge of persistent insubordination carries a penalty of imprisonment from three months to two years, and the charge of desertion carries a penalty of imprisonment from one year to three years. Mehmet Bal's next hearing is scheduled for 20 June.
Mehmet Bal was arrested on 8 June in Istanbul for evading military service, after completing nine of Turkey's compulsory fifteen months of military service. He was held in military custody in Besiktas, before being transferred to Hasdal Military Prison in Istanbul on 9 June, and on 13 June to Adana 6th Corps Command Military Prison, where he is currently held. While in custody in Besiktas, Mehmet Bal was allegedly physically abused by guards, including by being punched in the head, face and chest. Mehmet Bal was also denied water and access to a toilet for several hours. On 9 June Mehmet Bal was moved to Hasdal Military Prison. Mehmet Bal's lawyers told Amnesty International that during his first day at Hasdal Military Prison, a senior military officer took Mehmet Bal into a prison ward and ordered other prisoners to "do what is necessary to remind him of prison rules." Several prisoners allegedly kicked Mehmet Bal and beat his face and body with a plank of wood. After the attack, Mehmet Bal was taken to Gumussuyu Military Hospital for treatment. He was then sent back to Hasdal Military Prison on 10 June, reportedly without having fully recovered from his injuries.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Amnesty International considers a conscientious objector to be any person who, for reasons of conscience or profound conviction, refuses to perform service in the armed forces or any other direct or indirect participation in wars or armed conflicts. This can include refusal to participate in a war because one disagrees with its aims or the manner in whichit is being waged, even if one does not oppose taking part in all wars. Furthermore, Amnesty International considers a person to be a prisoner of conscience when they are detained or imprisoned solely because they have been denied or refused their right to register an objection or to perform a genuinely civilian alternative service. They would also be prisoners of conscience if they are imprisoned for leaving the armed forces without authorization for reasons of conscience, if they have taken reasonable steps to secure release from military obligations.
International human rights standards recognize the right to conscientious objection. In a recommendation to the Council of Europe, the Committee of Ministers stated that "Anyone liable to conscription for military service who, for compelling reasons of conscience, refuses to be involved in the use of arms, shall have the right to be released from the obligation to perform such service... Such persons may be liable to perform alternative service."
The right to conscientious objection is not legally recognized in Turkey, and there is no alternative civilian service for conscientious objectors. In recent years there have been a small number of conscientious objectors who have publicly stated their refusal to carry out military service in Turkey. They usually face criminal prosecution, leading to prison sentences of up to three years. On release, they often receive new call-up papers, and the process is repeated.
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send appeals to arrive as quickly as possible:
- calling on the authorities to halt all legal proceedings against Mehmet Bal, and release him immediately and unconditionally;
- urging the authorities to stop immediately the prosecutions of conscientious objectors and to introduce an alternative civilian service for conscientious objectors, in line with European and international standards and recommendations;
- while Mehmet Bal is in detention, calling on the authorities to ensure that he is not subjected to torture or other ill-treatment, and that he has access to all necessary medical treatment;
- calling for prompt, impartial and effective investigations into claims that he was ill-treated by military personnel; and allegations that he was ill-treated by imprisoned soldiers on the orders of a senior military officer at Hasdal Military Prison.
APPEALS TO:
Ministry of Interior
Besir Atalay, Minister of Interior Icisleri Bakanligi
06644, Ankara
TURKEY
Email: besir.atalay@icisleri.gov.tr
Fax: 011 90 312 418 1795 Salutation: Dear Minister
Ministry of National Defense
Vecdi Gonul, Minister of National Defence Milli Savunma Bakanligi 06100 Ankara
TURKEY
Fax: 011 90 312 418 4737
Email: info@msb.gov.tr Salutation: Dear Minister
COPIES TO:
Parliamentary Commission on Human Rights Mehmet Zafer Uskul, Commission Chairperson TBMM Insan Haklarini Inceleme Komisyonu Bakanliklar
06543 Ankara
TURKEY
Fax: 011 90 312 420 53 94
Email: inshkkom@tbmm.gov.tr
Salutation: Dear Mr. Uskul
Ambassador Nabi Sensoy
Embassy of the Republic of Turkey
2525 Massachusetts Avenue N.W.
Washingto, D.C. 20008
Fax: 1 202 612 6744
Email: embassy@turkey.org contact@turkishembassy.org
Note added by Group 30 member Lank Felsen, formerly a U. S. Navy officer:
"Typically, a conscientious objector is defined as a person who declines military service altogether: i.e., refuses to enter into military service.
Mehmet Bal served 9 months in the Turkish army before leaving and refusing further service.
Turkish authorities have charged him with desertion, which is how leaving service after induction would be defined in the world's armies as a rule (including the U. S. army).
[There have been instances in which soldiers have declined to perform specific tasks or serve in specific military campaigns, sometimes successfully. But that is another matter.]"