Campaign for Conscientious Objector Ulke
Conscientious objector Osman Murat Ülke is facing a new prison sentence for his continuing refusal to do military service. International human rights groups have launched an Internet campaign. Turkey has not kept its promise to revise its legislation.
International support
The German Peace Organisation - Union of Pacifists, the Global Women's Movement, the Greek Association of Conscientious Objectors, the Payday Men's Network and the International Pacifists have announced that Ülke is being threatened with 17 months imprisonment and have started a signature campaign on the Internet.
The campaigners say that "Refusing to kill is not a crime" and call for an end of the persecution of conscientious objectors. They also reminded readers that Tureky had promised the European Council to prepare a new legislation that would prevent conscientious objectors being punished repeatedly; but has not kept the promise.
Tried for conscientious objection
On 1 September 1995, Ülke had burnt his summons to do military service, saying "I am not a soldier and will never be one. I will never do military service." He was arrested five times between 1996 and 1999 for refusing to go to the army.
"Civil death"
On 9 March 1999, he was released from military prison in order to surrender to his unit. He went home. According to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), he has since then been sentenced to "civil death".
No legal changes yet
On 13-14 February 2007, the European Committee of the Council of Ministers expressed its sorrow at the fact that although the ECHR had found Turkish institutions guilty of violations, no preventative measures were being taken.
On 6 June 2007, Turkish institutions told the European Council that a legal proposal which would prevent the repeated punishment of conscientious objectors was under way. (AÖ/AG)
- Number of Prisoners Exceeds Population of 4 Provinces [14 February 2012]
- TURKISH-GREEK BORDER: EU Turns down Fence between Greece and Turkey [14 February 2012]
- BİA MEDYA MONITORING - 2011: Year of Struggle for Journalists [10 February 2012]
- VAN EARTHQUAKE AFTERMATH: Tent Cities Emptied - Former Tenants Left without Shelter [13 February 2012]
- Dozens of Custodies in KCK Operations [13 February 2012]
Independent Communication NetworkIndependent Communication Network comprises more than internet news website bianet.org. It is a continuously unfolding network since 1997 and embraces "Training Drives" for journalists and communication students and NGOs; handbook series, "Radio Programs" for the local media, conferences, forums, international exchange programs.
IPS Communication Foundation (BİA)IPS Communication Foundation is the implementing body for the BIA &bianet.org. Founded in 1993 by four journalists and one human rights activists, has implemented many projects including a BİA, BİA2 and BİA3.
BİA LibraryBİA Library comprises of handbooks series and guides and researches which systemize the theoretical and informative contributions realized during the implementation of programs within the BİA projects. Some of the 15 publications are in English and accessible via bianet.org.
Contact us
You can reach IPS Communication Foundation directors, BİA project coordination, bianet.org editorial board via telephone, fax, e-mail and mail from everywhere on the globe, dispatch information and/or documents and request meetings.
- Ana Sayfa|
- Yazarlar|
- Arşiv-Arama|
- Bilgi-Belge|
- Çocuk Sitesi|
- BİAMag|
- Kadının Penceresi|
- News in English|
- Haber Listesi|
- Galeriler|
- Linkler|
- Künye|
- BİA Hakkında
This website is published within the framework of "Journalism for Rights, Rights for Journalists" -dubbed as BİA3 - project implemented by the IPS Communication Foundation with the financial assistance of the Swedish International development Agency (SIDA). The contents of this website are the sole responsibility of IPS Communication Foundation and under no circumstances be regarded as reflecting the position of the EU and SIDA and IFEX.
