Not the rapists are punished, but the
journalists who report on it!
The Public Prosecutor’s Office in
Istanbul hanged a fine of 16 billion Turkish Lira (ca 10.000 Euro) on our newspaper “Call for a New World” because
of our coverage and condemnation of the rape of Gülbahar
Gündüz. In our June issue we published an article: “The
attack on Gülbahar is an attack on us all”. In it, we
described what had happened to her. Gülbahar Gündüz had
reported at the press conference on 15 June in the rooms of
the Human Rights Association (IHD) in Istanbul, that she was
kidnapped by 4 plain clothes policemen, tortured for 8 hours
and raped, and then thrown out of a moving car.
In this article we also printed two
photographs taken from the daily press. The state attorney
Ms Nurten Altinok has then, allegedly in order to protect
the victim (!), brought charges against our newspaper of
having published the full name and photograph of the
“victim”! Because of disregard for the press law a fine of
16 billion TL was imposed. In case of non-payment within 10
days, we were threatened with the institution of a
procedure.
In stead of punishing the culprits
—according to the testimony of Gülbahar Gündüz state
employees, policemen in plain clothes—, the state takes
legal action against the press that makes rape and torture
public.
Well, that befits this state! During the
“death fast/hunger strike” this state first perpetrated a
massacre in the prisons, and then imposed fines on the press
that reported on it. It is clear what the state wants to do:
Bring all those who write the truth to silence to cover up
the state’s guilt.
Judge and prosecutor in one!
But it won’t get away with it!
We will not keep silent! The truth will
come to light.
Just look at that: The crime against
Gülbahar Gündüz, who stands up for the rights of women and
Kurdish nation, was committed in order to bring her to
silence and intimidate all fighting women and the Kurdish
nation. Instead of prosecuting this crime, this state
punishes those who denounce it!
No, this state does not defend the right
of the victims! This state protects the culprits that
persecute, torture and inflict damage on the oppressed
nations!
A state which defends the rights of the
oppressed can be reached only by revolution.
22/8/2003
“Call for a New World”, No 70, September
2003
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