A closure case was opened against Scientific and Cultural Researches Foundation (İLKAV) on the account of the fact that speeches at the panel, which organized by the foundation, about “Education System and Religious Education under the Pressure of Official Ideology”. At the same time, a denunciation was made to the public prosecutor office to demand for opening a court case alleging that speeches have crime element.
Statements, which contain criticisms the current education system but no violence or insult elements, in a panel can be shown as a reason for the punishment of panelists and the closure of a foundation.
The article 301 blocks evidently the freedom of expression and even free thinking. Even though the great efforts and campaigns which were conducted by human rights defenders, there has not been any constructive amendment about this problematic article. This attitude of the government leads us to suspect its view on human rights. Up to this point, there have been hundreds of people, against whom claimed to violate article 301. This article is just a kind of Democles sword.
Freedom of thought is one of the fundamental human rights. Freedom of expression in a free way, without practising or calling for violence, is the only way for development of societies and preventing dominance of monopolistic/imposition thought. There is a different situation in Turkey regarding with the implementation in the country. Judging of opposite thoughts, which are criticism of the dominant ideology, under the name of Article 301 depicts a tragicomic situation and prevents development of country, free thinking of people.
Article 301 is discussed when there are court cases against well known people are on agenda, however; soon these discussions lose their actuality. The government emphasizes how it is sensitive about human rights, however; it is enigmatically insensitive about article 301.
As MAZLUMDER and IHD, we think that all blocks against freedom of expression must be taken off to lead the application of human rights. In this regards, we invite the Government once again to repeal Article 301, which is practised to block freedom of thought, immediately.
MAZLUMDER and IHD will support Mr. Pamak and Mr. Tanriverdi, who will be tried for statement of their opinions, on 23.10.2007 during the trial in 3. Penal Court of First Instance. We would like to announce that we will be in progress for the abolition of all obstacles which block the opinion itself.
| MAZLUMDER | ÝHD |
| President | President |
| M. Halit ÇELİK | Hüsnü ÖNDÜL |