Prisoners of Conscience

Описание: AHMET ALTAN
It is the shame of this country and its judicial system to put us in jail solely because of our ideas and criticisms. All judges are judged by their own verdicts. You too will be judged by your verdicts. There is no freedom of opinion in this country, Your Honor. Even that I am put on trial in this court is enough to demonstrate the lack of the freedom of opinion.

They are the ones who are labeled and put on trial as “traitors”…

EMRE SONCAN
My news stories, my books, and my thoughts are my children. They wanted my kids; I didn't give them. Our thoughts, Your Honor, are on trial here. How unfortunate it is that in the 21st century, your court is judging our thoughts.
They are the ones who speak with their ideas, not with their weapons…

MUMTAZER TÜRKÖNE
I am a writer; I have no weapon but my pen and my ideas, and I have sworn to use them for the sake of law and democracy. Despite all the false accusations and insults, and despite being detained for more than one year, my belief and determination in regard to these principles will not change.
They are condemned not because of their high voice, but because of their influential opinions.

SIRRI SÜREYYA ÖNDER
We are ready to pay any price for the struggle of peace, democracy, and freedom. Our words are our honor. Peace and democracy will win.

They read, they think, they reason…

HANIM BÜŞRA ERDAL
I am a journalist and a lawyer...The only organization I am affiliated with is the Istanbul Bar Association. I just did journalism and believed in law and democracy.
They are not guilty, they are hostages…

SEDAT LAÇİNER
Being a writer, scholar, and journalist I don't see how anyone by any stretch of the imagination could attribute to me terrorism, pro-coup mindset, and treason; and yet I have no power but my pen, have never had a gun in my life, and have never been involved in any kind of violence.
They are the ones who do not bend to bans, oppression and censorship…

MEHMET BARANSU
Taraf newspaper had ended the military domination in Turkey, even for the military personnel who themselves were under the military domination. I am not a judicial authority. Yes, you are acquitted; but even so, my opinion has not changed. I have written everything without fear; perhaps that has been my biggest mistake.
They are “prisoners of conscience”…

ALİ UNAL

I have given nearly 1000 conference talks, all of them in public space and open to the public. I have engaged in nothing other than my writings. I am on trial because of my ideas. I only wrote newspaper columns. I will continue to speak of the same things, if you give me even ten life sentences, not two.
Prisoners of conscience are subjected to worse treatments than terror prisoners…

Thinking is not a crime!

Thoughts cannot be prevented!

Freedom for prisoners of conscience