Activist Keskin's Case Awaits 301 Changes

Despite the Supreme Court of Appeals overturning her sentence, Eren Keskin, a lawyer and former president of the Istanbul branch of the Istanbul Rights Association (IHD) has been retried by the Kartal 3rd Penal Court in Istanbul.

The court case has now been postponed until 7 February, by which time changes in Article 301 are predicted to have been made. Minister of Justice Mehmet Ali Sahin announced on 25 December that the changes would be presented to cabinet within fifteen days.

Sentenced for speaking of sexual torture by the state

When in Köln, Germany, in 2002, Keskin spoke about sexual torture by the state at a conference entitled "Women's Rights Equal Human Rights". The court case was brought after the Turkish Armed Forces and Prof. Dr. Necla Arat filed complaints against Keskin. She was sentenced to 10 months imprisonment, converted into a fine of 6,000 YTL for "insulting the psychological personality of the military forces."

The Supreme Court of Appeals later overturned the sentence on procedural grounds. (TK/AG)