Campaign to free Memik Horuz continues: Memik sentenced to 15 years in prison

In June of this year Memik Horuz, a progressive journalist, was sentenced to 15 years in prison in Turkey. Arrested on June 18, 2001 during so-called "anti-terrorist" operations conducted by the Turkish military, Memik is an example of the extreme repression against activists in that country. This repression is tacitly encouraged by the United $tates which enjoys strategic influence in the Middle East and Asia in return for military aid to keep the Turkish government in power.

In Turkey the Penal Code and the Anti-terrorist law allow arrest and imprisonment of journalists if they report critically on the government. This reporting is considered terrorism and those arrested must prove their innocence, the government does not need to prove their guilt. Memik is a journalist who has worked for and edited progressive Turkish newspapers for years. He is also deputy chairperson of the International League of Peoples' Struggle (ILPS). The ILPS was founded in the Netherlands at a conference May 25-27, 2001. Memik was arrested by the Turkish authorities in June 2001 shortly after he returned from the founding assembly of the League. He was charged with conducting an interview with a Turkish guerilla leader. When he proved the charge was false (another journalist in Germany took credit for the interview) the Turkish government changed the charge to membership in a banned organization.(1)

Subject to sleep deprivation in an isolation cell and kept blindfolded much of the time, Memik's case finally went to the courts in March and he was sentenced to 15 years in prison by the National Security Court of Turkey. The key prosecution witness was an individual who turned state's witness in return for leniency in his own trial. His statements about Horuz conducting the interview were proven false, but his subsequent claim that Memik is a member of an illegal organization were accepted as sufficient evidence.(2)

This is not the first time Horuz was arrested. As a progressive journalist in Turkey he has suffered frequent harassment and intimidation and spent several years in prison in the 1980s. Memik's lawyer, Feliz Kalayci and 26 colleagues are due to appear in court to face charges as a result of having defended the victims of the September 26 massacre in Ulucanlar prison. She is also being charged with membership in an illegal organization and with having slandered the Turkish government.(3)

In a statement about the accusations against him Memik said "I will not abandon my ideas; I am proud of them. But I will never accept the conspiracy made against me."(3)

The Amerikan government stepped up military aid to Turkey after martial law was declared in the early 80s, spending about $500 million in military aid to Turkey each year from 1988 to 1993. Between 1980 and 1999, the U.S. Government gave the Turkish regime $4.6 billion in military aid and $2 billion in military loans. In fiscal year 1999, the Turkish regime imported $1.56 billion in weapons from the United $tates.(4) The Turkish army uses Amerikan helicopters and other machinery in its genocidal war against the Kurdish people.

After September 11, 2001, the U.$. turned to Turkey for support in the so-called war on terrorism. In this terrorist war Turkey sent forces to join the U.$.-led massacre of Afghanistan.(5) In return Bush agreed to donate Turkey 25 helicopters and write off all or at least part of a $5 billion loan for the purchase of arms.(6) Those of us living in
Amerika's borders who oppose the brutal thuggery used to support the "New World Order" must speak up.

Please FAX or EMAIL your letters of concern to the Turkish Embassy and consulates in the united $tates:

You can also send faxes to the following authorities in Turkey:

Send a copy of your letter to MIM.

Notes:

  1. International League of Peoples' Struggle (ILPS) press release, August3, 2002, http://ilps2001.com/edp/memik
  2. ILPS press release, June 30, 2002
  3. ILPS press release, March 18, 2002
  4. http://www.fas.org/asmp/profiles/turkey_fmschart.htm
  5. CNN.com, 11/6/2001
  6. http://www.clw.org/atop/911_list.html
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