14 02 2007 - Gul : Article 301 of the Turkish Penal Code,

Gül: 301 casts shadow over reform process The government reiterated yesterday its strong will to change the infamous Article 301 of the Turkish Penal Code, with Foreign Minister Abdullah Gül openly expressing uneasiness with the interpretation of the law by the judiciary.
"Article 301 is our own matter, it's not a matter for Americans or Europeans," Gül told reporters at a joint press conference with his Australian counterpart, Alexander Downer.
"Article 301 is our own matter, it's not a matter for Americans or Europeans," Gül told reporters at a joint press conference with his visiting Australian counterpart, Alexander Downer. His remarks came when he was reminded of US officials' reported criticism of Article 301 in the Turkish media during Gül's visit last week to Washington.
Ruling out any such talks with US officials about the Article 301, which is widely seen as a concrete barrier against freedom of expression in Turkey, a candidate for European Union accession, Gül reminded the press that the government has been in contact with non-governmental organizations on the issue.
"The intervention of Americans or Europeans will turn matters that can be sorted out into impracticable matters," he said. Turkey is being perceived abroad as a country where hundreds of journalists and intellectuals have been jailed, and where ideas which are not in line with governmental policies could not be expressed, Gül emphasized, adding this is why he saw changes to Article 301 necessary. "All of those assumptions about Turkey are wrong," Gül said, underlining that the government had amended the penal code in July 2005. "We amended it so that every one in Turkey will be able to openly express his thought; their thought may not be what we like, so long as it doesn't advocate violence."
The government has been following rulings by the courts, Gül said. "Final rulings have not yet been released by the courts, but from what we see so far, there are certain fallacies in implementation. Certain prosecutors open cases in a direction which we don't wish for; these [cases] create problems and they draw a much falsified image abroad. While on one hand, we have been doing many very good things in Turkey, on the other hand a bad image and exploitation of Turkey in the world public opinion is apparent. That's why I personally believe that change is necessary."
Turkey's internationally acclaimed author Orhan Pamuk was one of those who have landed in court for "denigrating Turkishness" under Article 301, and pressure on the government to change the law has been mounting since Turkish-Armenian journalist Hrant Dink, who had also been tried and convicted under Article 301, was killed on Jan. 19.
13.02.2007
Ankara Today's Zaman

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