Former President of the Human Rights Association, Mr. Akın Birdal, was imprisoned upon the refuse of his application for the postponement of the sentence on health reasons. His sentence was already postponed until 23rd of March, 2000.
Akın Birdal was sentenced to 1 year in prison for each speeches he made on the occassion of World Peace Day in 1995 and 1996 under article 312/2 of the Turkish Penal Code, by the State Security Courts in Adana and Ankara. Mr. Birdal was sent to Central Closed Prison in Ankara and he will be kept in prison until 23rd September, 2000.
– Human Rights Association, once again, raises its demands for lifting the obstacles to freedom of expression.
– Prisoners of conscience (!) should immediately and unconditionally be released.
– Continuing sanction, repression and intimidation policies and practices against human rights defenders and human rights organisations should be put an end.
Hüsnü Öndül
President