Offener Brief des Türkischen PEN an den Internationalen PEN vom 15.2.2010

Dear Friend Sara, Dear Sara Whyatt,

This is an official appeal to you as the director of Writers in Prison Committee and to International PEN naturally.

An international campaign for Turkish PEN member feminist Pinar Selek is needed.

As you know, Ms. Pinar Selek, a leading feminist sociologist and member of Turkish PEN, had to spend 2.5 years in prison for an alleged bombing which has been proven to be a false accusation. After 11 years of her release, recently the Supreme Court in Turkey has made a shocking decision demanding that she must spend the rest of her life in prison!

This is not only a scandal but also psychological torture.

In 2009 Pinar Selek was awarded the Turkish PEN Duygu Asena Award for her outstanding contributions to peace and human rights. (Duygu Asena was a PEN member who contributed a lot to women's rights and Turkish PEN.)

Thanks to you and to International PEN in general, she is in Germany on PEN's writer-scholarship.

The Turkish authorities demand (or will soon demand) that Selek be sent to Turkey . Pinar Selek's lawyers will certainly appeal to European Human Rights Court.

We are optimistic about the 'final outcome," but time and her safety are important: Germany must not send her back to Turkey . Or she must be protected in another country. This is an issue only Pinar and you can decide -with lawyers's help, of course.

This letter's aim is to launch an international campaign led by International PEN, which is of survival value.

We are concerned and optimistic about the process.

Best wishes,
Halil Ibrahim Özcan (Chair) - Tarik Günersel
Turkish PEN WiPC