PEN International to Turkey: Overturn conviction of writer Gulgeş Deryaspî
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PEN International has called on Turkey to overturn the conviction of Kurdish PEN member and writer Gulgeş Deryaspî, who was sentenced to 6 years, 3 months in prison on charge of "being a member of a terrorist organization" in the country in December 2020.
"A verdict on her appeal is expected by the end of April," PEN has reminded the international community, adding: "PEN International believes that Gulgeş Deryaspî is being targeted for her writings promoting Kurdish language and culture and calls for her conviction to be overturned."
Calling on people to send appeals to Turkey in this context, PEN International has said:
"Please send appeals to the Turkish authorities: Calling for the conviction of Gulgeş Deryaspî to be overturned;
"Calling for an end to the prosecution and detention of journalists and writers simply on the basis of the content of their writing or alleged affiliation, and for all those held in prison for exercising their rights to freedom of expression to be immediately released;
"Calling for an end to the crackdown on the Kurdish regions and for a peaceful solution to the ongoing conflict."
What happened?PEN International has shared the following background information about writer Gulgeş Deryaspî and her judicial proceedings: "Gulgeş Deryaspî was taken into custody on 25 July 2019 following simultaneous raids across Bitlis province, eastern Turkey, during which eight other individuals were also detained. She was formally charged with 'membership of a terrorist organisation' under Article 314/2 of Turkey's Penal Code on 29 July 2019 and sent to Bitlis E Type Closed Prison. She denies any wrongdoing. The first hearing was held on 4 February 2020; she was released from pre-trial detention on 30 March 2020 in an effort by the Turkish authorities to stem breakouts of COVID-19 in the country's overcrowded jails. Deryaspî was sentenced to six years and three months in prison on 3 December 2020. Her lawyers officially lodged an appeal on 28 February 2021. Under Turkish law, a verdict must be pronounced within two months. "Born in 1978, Gulgeç Akdeniz (pen name Gulgeş Deryaspî), studied Kurdish Language and Culture at Muş University, eastern Turkey. She published three novels in Kurdish. Tariya Bi Tav (Darkness with Sunshine), published in 2010, portrays life in Kurdish villages and explores the concept of alienation. Xezal (Gazelle), published in 2013, depicts the struggle of a woman standing against patriarchy and state oppression, while Ez Ne Ezim (I am not who I am), published in 2018, explores existential and philosophical questions. She has been a member of Kurdish PEN since 2013." |
(HA/SD)