Detained for Peace Placard, Gendered Action Overlooked

Bianet talked to lawyer Kaan Bayülken after three Gençlerbirliği Sports Club supporters unfurled peace placards “Peace Wins”, “We Don’t Feel Good and We Won’t” and “Ankara at 10.04 a.m.” (the time when bombings occurred) written on in a football match in Ankara on October 25.

Three young people were ordered to pay 65 euros per person within the frame of the law of misdemeanor.

Bayülken stated the placards weren’t violent and the subject should be evaluated within the context of freedom of expression. The lawyer reminded in a football match between Fenerbahçe and Galatasaray Sports Clubs, Fenerbahçe supporters set fire a Galatasaray uniform worn sex doll and added the aim of the law was to stop these kinds of gendered and discriminative actions, but it was being exploited to silence the opponents.

“The law doesn’t include placards”

“When you look atthat law and its regulations which prevent violence in sports, it doesn’t include placards in any way.

"Police Chief of the District and the governorship have the authority to use initiative regarding the placards. 

 “It means blacklisting”

“Investigation these three persons, imposing administrative fines on them and maybe preventing them from going to football matches mean blacklisting, I suppose.

“I think this situation has another side; intimidation.

 Sex doll case

“It was a totally gendered, discriminative action but they won’t launch any investigation about it. I don’t think so.

“Even though the law targets to forestall these incidents, it is being used to shut opponents up.”

 (EKN/BD)   

 Click here to read the article in Turkish