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Ragip Zarakolu Calls EU To Demand Concrete Reforms Of Turkey

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  • Ragip Zarakolu Calls EU To Demand Concrete Reforms Of Turkey

    RAGIP ZARAKOLU CALLS EU TO DEMAND CONCRETE REFORMS OF TURKEY

    Noyan Tapan
    http://www.nt.am/news.php?shownews=118034
    Oc t 9, 2008

    BRUSSELS, OCTOBER 9, ARMENIANS TODAY - NOYAN TAPAN. Well known
    Turkish dissident expresses concern over the abandonment of Turkish
    intellectuals.

    Prosecutions have been authorized against more than 30 dissidents
    since the "reform" of article 301.

    At the invitation of the European Armenian Federation, Ragip Zarakolu,
    the well known Turkish dissident, paid a visit to Brussels after an
    appearance in Amsterdam, where he was honoured with the Freedom
    of Expression award, granted by the International Publishers
    Association. On the occasion, the European Armenian Federation
    organized meetings between Mr Zarakolu and several political leaders
    of the European Union Commission members, representatives of the
    French presidency and European MEPs. These meetings gave Mr Zarakolu
    the opportunity to share the current reality in Turkey with several
    members of the EP Foreign Affairs Committee as well as the presidency
    of the EU-Turkey Interparliamentary Delegation.

    Mr. Zarakolu stated that the freedom of expression has regressed
    in Turkey.

    He argued that in 1997 and in 2000, people who published on the
    Armenian genocide were prosecuted but acquitted while they are
    nowadays condemned.

    Mr. Zarakolu, as the president of the Committee for Freedom of
    Publication, also presented the 2008 report on freedom of expression
    in Turkey published by the Turkish Association of Publishers, and
    revealed that according to official figures from the Turkish Minister
    of Justice, prosecutions against 36 people have been authorized in
    accordance with article 301 since its "reform".

    He called on the Union "to be firmer in its principles" and to demand
    of Turkey "concrete improvements". "A stiffer approach by the Union
    is the only solution to make Turkey progress", stressed Zarakolu.

    From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
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