Turkish fiction writer Elif Shafak avoided prison today. she was brought to trial under Article 301, an ominously sounding law on speech and the written word in Turkey. Acquitted for the crime of insulting Turkish national identity, she’s one of several writers accused and tried for this crime. Apparently bringing up the fact that almost one million Armenians were murdered in the early 20th century is bad form. Several dozen writers of non-fiction and fiction are awaiting trial for voicing various opinions on Turkish history and policy, rendering free speech in that country a fragile risk. Insulting Turkishness is a vague term, usually limited to people to criticize those in power, and often used to stifle opinion. When The Bastard of Istanbul is published next year (not Shafak’s novel), I’m tempted to buy it just to grab onto that ability to speak one’s mind.
Science Fiction
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Ironic, isn’t it? Holocaust denial is a crime punishable by imprisonment in some European countries. In Turkey the opposite is a crime!
Of course, neither should be a crime. One would hope the people would have confidence in open debate even if the truth doesn’t prevail at every moment. Nothing is as powerful in putting to rest a vicious lie as destroying it in a vigorous and open debate.
It is cartoons as well – I blogged news of the Turkish PM yet again attempting to sue a political cartoonist over their depiction of him. Total lack of freedom of speech, worst human rights record in Europe and they wonder why they are having trouble getting admitted to the EU? Hmm. Good news is so far the PM has failed in each court case. Post is here with links to the articles: http://forbiddenplanet.co.uk/blog/?p=1361.