Savda: Nationalist and Militaristic Judiciary in Turkey
The conscientious objector Halil Savda spoke to bianet after he was released by Probation Law on April 13, Friday.
Savda told that he was sentenced due to "alienating the public from military service" and this shows the perspective of the judicial system towards freedom of opinion and expression in Turkey.
"Unfortunately the judiciary is still away from the freedom concept. It still moves with nationalist and militaristic sensitivities. Going to prison is not a problem for me. The problem is the miserable situation of the judicial system in Turkey."
"The news published about me at bianet found objectionable"
Savda was sentenced to 5 months on August 1, 2006 on the grounds that he "alienated the public from military service" as he read the press release written to support Israeli conscientious objectors that protest against the Israeli invasion of Lebanon.
Following the confirmation of the decision by the Supreme Court, Savda was taken into custody at the hotel he stayed in Ağrı (East part of Turkey). Then he was arrested and sent to Doğubeyazıt Closed Prison.
Savda said he stayed at Doğubeyazıt Closed Prison for 20 days and the conditions were really harsh.
"The news published about me at bianet and the article of Yıldırım Türker found objectable by the Disciplinary Committee. These articles and news were not accepted to the prison and a decision was taken to destroy them all. I objected to enforcement judges however they still discuss whether those articles and news are objectionable or not."
"I also wanted to go out and send a letter. However they expressed that I was praising the crime that I had commited so they didn't allow me to send this letter. So my communication right and the right of the public to receive information were blocked."
"The conditions of the prison were too harsh. There were no places to lie down. We had the right to bath once a week and they were just giving a bucket of water."
"I was transferred to Diyarbakır Prison on March 13th. The conditions were better there. They didn't block my communication right. The conditions of the wards were also a little bit better."
Savda will append signature everyday
Halil Savda said he was not subject to public service in accordance with the Probation Law as his remaining penalty was less than 3 months.
Savda said he went to the inspection bureau and he will have to go to the closest police station for the next 50 days in order to append signature.
"This bureau is determining the risk condition. The less risky ones may go to sign twice a week however they found me risky, that's why I have to go to append signature everyday."
"They found my condition as risky because of two reasons. The first reason is, I commited the same crime before. Second, they ask if I find myself guilty or not and I told them I thought I was innocent. According to them I am not rehabilitated and I have the potential to commit crime."
"I said women, men and children should not die "
Savda said that this five-month prison sentence given to him indicates the nature of the judiciary system in Turkey.
Savda mentioned that he was protesting against the Israeli invasion of Lebanon and he was against war. The press release caused to his sentence was full of with sentences against violence.
"Turkey has a right attitude towards the human rights violations that Palestinian men, women and children face. We also protested in order to protect Palestinian, Lebanese and Israeli men, women and children rights. We said women, men and children there should not die. We supported the Israeli conscientious objectors rejecting war. "
"Nevertheless, they sentenced me with "alienating the public from military service." That's the sign of discrimination. The judiciary still moves with high nationalist and militaristic sensitivity. That's so sad for justice in Turkey and the people who advocate for peace." (EKN)