In this report titled ‘Turkey’s Silencing of Writers, Intellectuals, and Artists Five Years After the Failed Coup “’”, PEN America outlines the legal mechanisms used by the Turkish government to silence writers, activists, artists, academics, and creatives over the past five years. The report sheds light on the devastating impact of the crackdowns and calls on the international community to show support and solidarity with Turkey’s creative community and to push back against the Turkish government’s ongoing suppression of freedom of expression.
For the report, PEN America interviewed over a dozen members of Turkey’s literary, artistic, and human rights communities. Exiled Turkish writer Aslı Erdoğan described the government’s targeting of creatives as ‘part of a systematic approach to cut the vocal cords of society.’ She asks, ‘How do you cut the vocal cords? You start with journalists because they know the sins of the system. Then come the columnists, writers, artists, professionals, academics. It’s actually a very well-planned action that silences the whole society. And it has worked so far.’
KEY RECOMMENDATIONS
- Given Turkey’s membership in NATO and the Council of Europe, the U.S. and EU should work closely on policy responses to Turkey’s human rights violations.
- The Council of Europe should open infringement proceedings against Turkey at its September session for failing to implement the European Court of Human Rights’ rulings on Osman Kavala and Selahattin Demirtaş.
- The United States and EU should increase high-level public diplomacy in individual cases, including writers, journalists, creatives, and dissidents.
- The U.S. Congress should consider passing legislation that ties respect for human rights to any development and military assistance to the Turkish government and ensures that such aid or assistance is consistent with the Arms Export Control Act and Section 620M of the Foreign Assistance Act.
- The United States should increase its support for Voice of America’s Turkish Service and Kurdish Service and consider new Turkey-focused programming through Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.
- The United States should increase funding for freedom of expression, independent media and press freedom, as well as cultural programming including literary, artistic, and other creative initiatives in Turkey, as well as for international cultural and academic exchange.
Source: pen.org
