Please write a polite letter on your personal or institutional letterhead requesting that charges against Ragip Zarakolu be dropped - or copy the one below - and mail to Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Minister of Justice Cemil Çiçek (postage 90˘), and Dr. Osman Faruk Logoglu, the Turkish Ambassador to the United States (postage 41˘).
[Date]
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan
TC Basbakanlik
Bakanlikir
Ankara, Turkey
Fax: 011 90 312 417 0476
Cemil Cicek
Minister of Justice
TC Adalet Bakanligi
Ankara, Turkey
Fax: 011 90 312 417 3954
Your Excellencies,
I am writing to express my serious concern for writer and publisher Ragip Zarakolu, who has been subject to decades of harassment by the Turkish authorities, and has faced numerous trials and prison sentences. I understand that Mr. Zarakolu is currently being tried under new Article 301 of the Turkish Penal Code. I also understand that Mr. Zarakolu's next hearing is January 31, 2008. I strongly feel that any further delay of Mr. Zarakolu's trial would be just another means to harass and punish him for daring to speak out on sensitive issues. I respectfully ask that all charges against Mr. Zarakolu be dropped immediately. I am also concerned by the fact that legislation remains in place that not only penalizes certain types of free speech but also carries prison terms. I therefore urge your Excellencies to ensure that there be further review of Turkish legislation with the aim any remaining laws that can lead to the imprisonment of writers and journalists solely for the practice of their right to freedom of expression.
Sincerely,
[Your name and signature]
Cc:
H.E. Nabi Sensoy
Embassy of Turkey to the United States
2525 Massachusetts Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20008
fax: (202) 612-6744
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