Army rejectionist arrested in Istanbul

national | anti-war / imperialism | news report

Wednesday June 11, 2008 11:34

by Sevinc Karaca - WSM-Personal Capacity

nazire.sevinc at gmail dot com

Mehmet Bal was arrested on 8th of June.

Every Turkish man who reach 20 has to do a mandatory service of 16 months in the Turkish Army. A group of Turkish men, including Mehmet have been rejecting to comply with it.

They have faced, arrests, beatings and restraining of their rights such as obtaining passports.
Mehmet Bal was arrested on 8th of June on his way to his home in Arnavutkoy, Istanbul. Mehmet was assaulted under custody.
Turkey spends %60 of its annual budget on arms and militarization, it is the second biggest receopient of USA military aid and provides bases for US army in the south of the country. Generals sit in the National Security Council, an executice body who basically makes and implements decisons on running the country. While the state pours billions into arms and technology, ordinary soldiers live in cramped conditions and driven to the frontline to face death in the war against PKK.
Solidarity with army rejectionists!
Long live to the resistance of Mehmet!

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Comments (4 of 4)

Mehmet was severely beaten up by ithe police and by the inmates

Thu Jun 12, 2008 19:20

Dear Comrades and Friends,
According to the lawyers od the Human Rights Assocoation, Istanbul, Mehmet was severely and brutally beaten up by the police and inmates. We are verry worried about the state of is health, which is not clearly revealed, and his safety. Read the bulletin in the comment above.Please spread the word.

P.S. Mehmet is not my nephew, my nephew was released after two ights in custody and his arrest is not linked to this specific round up of the refusniks.

This disgrace

by cropbeye - Ireland Palestivne Solidarity

Thu Jun 12, 2008 14:44

cropbeye at yahoo dot com

This news is terrible and is a sobering insight into the Turkish State.

We should do more to publicise this issue.

solidarity

by Joan - Traveller and Settled Solidarity

Thu Jun 12, 2008 10:45

Solidarity with Mehmet and all his worried family and friends. It takes a huge amount of courage to conscientiously object in Turkey, so please everyone sign the petition linked to the 1st comment. Every signature counts.

Please help us free Mehmet Bal

by mescal - Friends of Mehmet

Wed Jun 11, 2008 19:25

We request your help to free conscientious objector Mehmet Bal. Please, sign the online petition (click on the link below)
for the immediate end to the physical and mental violence being inflicted on him and for his immediate release.

Please, copy the link to the petition and e-mail it to all your contacts. Sign the petition by filling the boxes at the bottom of the page, it only takes 1 minute and it could make all the difference. We need to make this cause known all over the World. Turkey must abide by international human rights laws.

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/freemehmet/index.html

Thank you for your support

Mehmet's lawyers report and protest letter 0.27 Mb

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Army rejectionist arrested in Istanbul

Comments (4 of 4)