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Press release: Is it illegal to read books and make translations in Turkish prisons? |
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In spite of initiatives launched by different sections of society and work done by a great number of ngos, it is a fact that the State is still afraid of free thought, and tries to obstruct freedom of thought and expression whenever the opportunity arises. The most recent example in this respect is the decision not to allow Spanish and Kurdish books and magazines into Kocaeli prison Number 2 (F Type), where our colleague, translator Tonguç Ok, ordered them for his intellectual work. In their decision, prison authorities state that since the content of books and publications ordered by inmates is liable to inspection, all printed matter should have been translated into Turkish. However, even after the 12 September 1980 coup the imprisoned were granted the legal right to have foreign publications in their possession and to do translation work. Many people active in the publishing and translating industry today became acquainted with the practice of translation in prison during that period.
For years now, the State has refused even the slightest support for translation work, has demonstrated great difficulty in accepting translating as a profession and has seen the translator as an interlocutor in court only. Apparently, the State considers it its duty to control what might pass through the minds of the inmates, and censors translations even before the act of translation has begun! It might be useful to recall once again that it is the State’s duty not to usurp citizen’s rights, but to protect them. As a citizen and as a human being, our colleague Tonguç Ok, practising his intellectual work under the harsh conditions of prison life, has the right to read any printed matter available to other people in the country. We urgently appeal to the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Culture to fulfil their duty and return the rights mentioned above as soon as possible. We condemn this policy of censorship that tries to control or shape the intellectual work of people in prisons and obstructs the work of our colleagues. We support the efforts of Tonguç Ok and other inmates to continue their intellectual work. Released by Çevbir / Literary Translators’ Society Turkey (www.cevbir.org) 12 August 2009
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