Lawyer Eren Keskin, the founder of the "Legal Aid For Victims of Sexual Harassment and Rape Under Detention Project", has been sentenced to 10 months in prison on grounds of article 301 of the Turkish Penal Code (TCK).

The court convicted Keskin for insulting the Turkish armed forces (TSK) and then converted the prison sentence to a fine of 6,000 New Turkish liras (USD 4,500). Keskin said she would not be able to pay that fine. That is she will have to serve the 10 months in prison.

Keskin had a press conference on the issue on March 22 at the Istanbul branch of the Human Rights Association (IHD).

Legal complaint by TSK and Arat

The case dates back to lawyer Keskin's address at a meeting on "Women's Rights Equal Human Rights" organized by the Alavite Unions' Federation in Cologne in Germany in 2002. Upon media coverage of Keskin's speech the Turkish Armed Forces and Professor Necla Arat had filed a legal complaint against the lawyer. Keskin was then indicted.

Fatih Altayli to pay damages

Fatih Altayli, who commented on newspaper reports on private TV channel Kanal D, had said, "I am a coward if I do not sexually harass this woman when I come across her."

As a result of intensive campaigning and support by the women in the general assembly and the women's organizations in 2002, a complaint about Fatih Altayli had been filed at the Press Council.

Fatih Altayli had been condemned by the Press Council. He had also been penalised in the case brought against him by the IHD, and had to pay damages in the case brought against him by Keskin. (AD/EO/EA/YE)