Mardin Bar Association: Saying ‘This is Kurdistan’ is a criticism of the politics

Mardin Bar Association Human Rights Commission made a written statement about the shopkeeper Cemil Taşkesen, who was detained and then released because of his words “Our language is denied. Our identity is denied. Kurdistan is denied. The place you are in is Kurdistan” during the visit of IYI Party Chair Meral Akşener to Siirt earlier in the week.

While the statement noted that the words “This is Kurdistan” are within the right of free thought and speech, it also said, “This decision is inconsistent with the democratic rule of law and is antithetical to the conventions to which Turkey is a party. Even if Cemil Taşkesen was released, it is a threat to the rule of law that persons are being detained for making a statement that does not include a call to violence, the subject of an investigation.”

“IT IS A CRITICISM OF THE POLICIES”

The statement pointed out that the content of Taşkesen’s remarks to Akşener includes criticism and indications of policies and systematic enforcement about the Kurdish issue in light of its historical context.

“To declare that ‘this is Kurdistan’ is within the scope of freedom of thought and expression. It is one of the key pillars of a democratic society, as well as one of the necessary prerequisites for social progress. Freedom of expression extends not only through knowledge or ideas regarded favourable, harmless, or unworthy of attention, but also includes remarks or ideas deemed upsetting or disturbing to the state or a segment of society. These are the requirements of pluralism, tolerance and open-mindedness; without them, there would be no democratic society,” the commission said.

The statement noted that the investigation launched against Taşkesen should be dropped as soon as possible and that what happened was unacceptable. It also underlined that the Mardin Bar Association Human Rights Commission will follow the investigation initiated.

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