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WHY IS THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY SILENT ABOUT ZARAKOLU'S ARREST?
Anna Balyan
"Radiolur"
04.11.2011 19:39
"I could have been killed by now, but they have not killed me,
because they don't want to create new heroes for themselves," Turkish
publisher Ragıp Zarakolu said during his visit to Armenia, adding
that the persecutions against him had decreased.
Now Zarakolu has been arrested among 44 activists. Most of the accused
face charges of membership in and/or aiding and abetting the Kurdistan
Communities Union (KCK).
Expert of Turkish studies Hakob Chakryan says Ragıp Zarakolu had
long been "blacklisted" by Turkish authorities for his struggle for
recognition of the Armenian Genocide.
"Zarakolu has been selflessly struggling for the recognition of the
Armenian Genocide. He was speaking in public in 1990s, when no one
had ever uttered the word "genocide." Nine lawsuits have already been
filed against him," Chakryan said.
Other well-known writers, publishers and lawyers were arrested,
including member of the "For Peace and Democracy" Party Byursra
Ersanli and writer Aziz Tunch. R. Zarakolu's son, Deniz Zarakolu was
also arrested.
Hakob Chakryan says that these arrests have not found due response
among the international community, as it was the case with Orhan Pamuk.
"It's surprising that those who were actively defending Orhan Pamuk or
Hrant Dink, keep silence in this case. Only the Platform for Solidarity
with Arrested Journalists and the Freedom of Thought Initiative have
protested against the arrests," the expert said.
Nevertheless, a number of renowned Turkish publishers and writers
have spoken against Zarakolu's arrest, noting that "His arrest was
a blow to the efforts of moving towards real democracy, freedom of
speech and social justice." One or two international organizations
have also protested against the arrests.
Anna Balyan
"Radiolur"
04.11.2011 19:39
"I could have been killed by now, but they have not killed me,
because they don't want to create new heroes for themselves," Turkish
publisher Ragıp Zarakolu said during his visit to Armenia, adding
that the persecutions against him had decreased.
Now Zarakolu has been arrested among 44 activists. Most of the accused
face charges of membership in and/or aiding and abetting the Kurdistan
Communities Union (KCK).
Expert of Turkish studies Hakob Chakryan says Ragıp Zarakolu had
long been "blacklisted" by Turkish authorities for his struggle for
recognition of the Armenian Genocide.
"Zarakolu has been selflessly struggling for the recognition of the
Armenian Genocide. He was speaking in public in 1990s, when no one
had ever uttered the word "genocide." Nine lawsuits have already been
filed against him," Chakryan said.
Other well-known writers, publishers and lawyers were arrested,
including member of the "For Peace and Democracy" Party Byursra
Ersanli and writer Aziz Tunch. R. Zarakolu's son, Deniz Zarakolu was
also arrested.
Hakob Chakryan says that these arrests have not found due response
among the international community, as it was the case with Orhan Pamuk.
"It's surprising that those who were actively defending Orhan Pamuk or
Hrant Dink, keep silence in this case. Only the Platform for Solidarity
with Arrested Journalists and the Freedom of Thought Initiative have
protested against the arrests," the expert said.
Nevertheless, a number of renowned Turkish publishers and writers
have spoken against Zarakolu's arrest, noting that "His arrest was
a blow to the efforts of moving towards real democracy, freedom of
speech and social justice." One or two international organizations
have also protested against the arrests.