http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkey-blocks-website-of-its-first-atheist-association.aspx?pageID=238&nID=79163&NewsCatID=341
QuoteIt took less than a year for a Turkish court to block the website of the country’s first official atheism association.
The Atheism Association, the first of its kind in any Muslim-majority country, was officially founded in Istanbul’s Asian-side neighborhood of Kadıköy in April 2014. However, the Gölbaşı 2nd Civil Court of Peace in Ankara has finally moved to block the association’s website, according to the group’s statement on March 3, 2015.
As of March 4, Turkish internet users could not access www.ateizmdernegi.org without using tools to bypass blockings, such as a VPN.
The court ruling cites Article 216 of the Turkish Penal Law, which forbids “provoking the people for hate and enmity or degrading them.â€
The association has issued a statement to criticize the blocking. “Three months ago, the European Space Agency managed to put Philae on a one-km wide comet named 67P, which has a speed of 135,00p km/h, after a 3,907-day-long journey to a location 500 million km away. Meanwhile, courts in Turkey are still busy blocking websites, citing laws with vague expressions and trying to make a certain belief dominate the others,†it stated.
The Atheism Association also described the court’s decision as “a historic example of accumulating legislative, executive and judicial powers in one hand,†claiming that Turkey is “drifting away from the level of modern civilizations as fast as its judiciary system drifts away from reason.â€
The association had recently declared in a statement that it was officially recognized by the European Union and invited by universities and think-tanks to speak at their events. Morgan Elizabeth Romano, its vice president, had stressed in her recent addresses that Article 216 is seriously harming freedom of expression in Turkey.
In an interview with daily Agos last year, the founders of the association, Tolga Ä°nci and Ahmet Balyemez, said they thought there should be a place to provide legal support to people facing problems as atheists.
Only three weeks after its foundation, the association had to install a panic button, which is directly connected to the police center near its headquarters in Istanbul, due to death threats.
In the past, the Turkish government or the courts blocked access to a number of popular websites, including YouTube and Twitter. More than 66,000 websites are still blocked in Turkey.
Bit of an understatement, but that's disappointing. Not necessarily surprising though with who is in power. It seems like it's just a matter of time though with the AKP losing power each election.
I am going to assume Turkey's court system is similar to the United States? I remember the Youtube controversy, so it probably answers this question, but are the upper courts stacked with conservatives, or are they a bit more with the times?
And heres why I have no desire to go to other countries like this. I'd sooner look at the progressive listings of a country before ever deciding to go there.
Quote from: Shiranu on June 26, 2015, 04:45:35 PM
Bit of an understatement, but that's disappointing. Not necessarily surprising though with who is in power. It seems like it's just a matter of time though with the AKP losing power each election.
I am going to assume Turkey's court system is similar to the United States? I remember the Youtube controversy, so it probably answers this question, but are the upper courts stacked with conservatives, or are they a bit more with the times?
Turkey still has a lot of judges on the bench that support the secular state that Turkey formally still is (although a strange kind of secularism was or is established there).
Gerard
Let the wars begin :popcorn:
Bastards.
Supreme court always rules that they should be opened. And they do eventually. They are trying to make a point by creating a 'perception management'. They want to condition people. Because that works.
It's very hypocritcal. Because technically they are not actually 'prohibited', but closed as -I don't know the formal word in English- precaution. So nobody gets prosecuted for viewing those sites. But they try to close it for good by making excuses like 'protecting children' or 'it's against conservative Turkish culture' or 'sites of terroristic groups'...etc.
For example, there is no law that prohibits consuming porn in Turkish law. Only prohibition is against child pornography, necrophilia, beastiality...etc. Distribution is prohibited. But not using it. But sites are closed as some sort of 'measure'. Because considering the constitution, it's not doable. That's why they want to change the constitution.
There are lots of things with same nature in here.
If AKP continue to lose power, they will try to reverse it back, but then this time it won't be enough. Because AKP has a big role on people getting organised. As they kept attacking atheists, lgbt people in media, they started to get organised.
HDP and CHP wants to recognise atheists and lgbt groups. HDP says it openly, CHP can't in fear of losing votes against AKP. They just 'signal'.
You can observe it from here. The current constitution is already very bad and not enough and reiligous gov wants to change that to a one they can use.
https://global.tbmm.gov.tr/docs/constitution_en.pdf
QuoteARTICLE 10- Everyone is equal before the law without
distinction as to language, race, colour, sex, political opinion,
philosophical belief, religion and sect, or any such grounds.
(Paragraph added on May 7, 2004; Act No. 5170) Men and
women have equal rights. The State has the obligation to ensure that
this equality exists in practice. (Sentence added on September 12,
2010; Act No. 5982) Measures taken for this purpose shall not be
interpreted as contrary to the principle of equality.
(Paragraph added on September 12, 2010; Act No. 5982)
Measures to be taken for children, the elderly, disabled people,
widows and orphans of martyrs as well as for the invalid and veterans
shall not be considered as violation of the principle of equality.
5
No privilege shall be granted to any individual, family, group
or class.
State organs and administrative authorities are obliged to act
in compliance with the principle of equality before the law in all their
proceedings.2
XI. Supremacy and binding force of the Constitution
ARTICLE 11- The provisions of the Constitution are
fundamental legal rules binding upon legislative, executive and
judicial organs, and administrative authorities and other institutions
and individuals.
Laws shall not be contrary to the Constitution.
I. Form of the State
ARTICLE 1- The State of Turkey is a Republic.
II. Characteristics of the Republic
ARTICLE 2- The Republic of Turkey is a democratic,
secular and social state governed by rule of law, within the notions of
public peace, national solidarity and justice, respecting human rights,
loyal to the nationalism of Atatürk, and based on the fundamental
tenets set forth in the preamble.
III. Integrity, official language, flag, national anthem, and
capital of the State
ARTICLE 3- The State of Turkey, with its territory and
nation, is an indivisible entity. Its language is Turkish.
Its flag, the form of which is prescribed by the relevant law, is
composed of a white crescent and star on a red background.
Its national anthem is the “Independence Marchâ€.
Its capital is Ankara.
IV. Irrevocable provisions
ARTICLE 4- The provision of Article 1 regarding the form
of the State being a Republic, the characteristics of the Republic in
Article 2, and the provisions of Article 3 shall not be amended, nor
shall their amendment be proposed.
V. Fundamental aims and duties of the State
ARTICLE 5- The fundamental aims and duties of the
State are to safeguard the independence and integrity of the Turkish
Nation, the indivisibility of the country, the Republic and democracy,
to ensure the welfare, peace, and happiness of the individual and
society; to strive for the removal of political, economic, and social
obstacles which restrict the fundamental rights and freedoms of the
individual in a manner incompatible with the principles of justice
and of the social state governed by rule of law; and to provide the
conditions required for the development of the individual’s material
and spiritual existence.
4
VI. Sovereignty
ARTICLE 6- Sovereignty belongs to the Nation without any
restriction or condition.
The Turkish Nation shall exercise its sovereignty through the
authorized organs, as prescribed by the principles set forth in the
Constitution.
The exercise of sovereignty shall not be delegated by any means
to any individual, group or class. No person or organ shall exercise
any state authority that does not emanate from the Constitution.
VII. Legislative power
ARTICLE 7- Legislative power is vested in the Grand
National Assembly of Turkey on behalf of Turkish Nation. This
power shall not be delegated.
VIII. Executive power and function
ARTICLE 8- Executive power and function shall be
exercised and carried out by the President of the Republic and the
Council of Ministers in conformity with the Constitution and laws.
IX. Judicial power
ARTICLE 9- Judicial power shall be exercised by
independent courts on behalf of the Turkish Nation.
X. Equality before the law
ARTICLE 10- Everyone is equal before the law without
distinction as to language, race, colour, sex, political opinion,
philosophical belief, religion and sect, or any such grounds.
(Paragraph added on May 7, 2004; Act No. 5170) Men and
women have equal rights. The State has the obligation to ensure that
this equality exists in practice. (Sentence added on September 12,
2010; Act No. 5982) Measures taken for this purpose shall not be
interpreted as contrary to the principle of equality.
(Paragraph added on September 12, 2010; Act No. 5982)
Measures to be taken for children, the elderly, disabled people,
widows and orphans of martyrs as well as for the invalid and veterans
shall not be considered as violation of the principle of equality.
5
No privilege shall be granted to any individual, family, group
or class.
State organs and administrative authorities are obliged to act
in compliance with the principle of equality before the law in all their
proceedings.2
XI. Supremacy and binding force of the Constitution
ARTICLE 11- The provisions of the Constitution are
fundamental legal rules binding upon legislative, executive and
judicial organs, and administrative authorities and other institutions
and individuals.
Laws shall not be contrary to the Constitution.
VI. Freedom of religion and conscience
ARTICLE 24- Everyone has the freedom of conscience,
religious belief and conviction.
Acts of worship, religious rites and ceremonies shall be
conducted freely, as long as they do not violate the provisions of
Article 14.
No one shall be compelled to worship, or to participate in
religious rites and ceremonies, or to reveal religious beliefs and
convictions, or be blamed or accused because of his religious beliefs
and convictions.
Religious and moral education and instruction shall be
conducted under state supervision and control. Instruction in
religious culture and morals shall be one of the compulsory lessons
in the curricula of primary and secondary schools. Other religious
education and instruction shall be subject to the individual’s
own desire, and in the case of minors, to the request of their legal
representatives.
No one shall be allowed to exploit or abuse religion or religious
feelings, or things held sacred by religion, in any manner whatsoever,
for the purpose of personal or political interest or influence, or for
even partially basing the fundamental, social, economic, political, and
legal order of the State on religious tenets.
VII. Freedom of thought and opinion
ARTICLE 25- Everyone has the freedom of thought and
opinion.
No one shall be compelled to reveal his/her thoughts and
opinions for any reason or purpose; nor shall anyone be blamed or
accused because of his/her thoughts and opinions.
VIII. Freedom of expression and dissemination of thought
ARTICLE 26- Everyone has the right to express and
disseminate his/her thoughts and opinions by speech, in writing or
in pictures or through other media, individually or collectively. This
freedom includes the liberty of receiving or imparting information or
ideas without interference by official authorities. This provision shall
not preclude subjecting transmission by radio, television, cinema, or
similar means to a system of licensing.
(As amended on October 3, 2001; Act No. 4709) The exercise of
these freedoms may be restricted for the purposes of national security,
public order, public safety, safeguarding the basic characteristics of
the Republic and the indivisible integrity of the State with its territory
and nation, preventing crime, punishing offenders, withholding
information duly classified as a state secret, protecting the reputation
or rights and private and family life of others, or protecting
professional secrets as prescribed by law, or ensuring the proper
functioning of the judiciary.
(Repealed on October 3, 2001; Act No. 4709)
Regulatory provisions concerning the use of means to
disseminate information and thoughts shall not be deemed as the
restriction of freedom of expression and dissemination of thoughts as
long as the transmission of information and thoughts is not prevented.
(Paragraph added on October 3, 2001; Act No. 4709) The
formalities, conditions and procedures to be applied in exercising
the freedom of expression and dissemination of thought shall be
prescribed by law.
IX. Freedom of science and the arts
ARTICLE 27- Everyone has the right to study and teach,
express, and disseminate science and the arts, and to carry out
research in these fields freely.
The right to disseminate shall not be exercised for the purpose
of changing the provisions of articles 1, 2 and 3 of the Constitution.
The provision of this article shall not preclude regulation by law
of the entry and distribution of foreign publications in the country.
X. Provisions relating to the press and publication
A. Freedom of the press
ARTICLE 28- The press is free, and shall not be censored.
The establishment of a printing house shall not be subject to prior
permission or the deposit of a financial guarantee.
(Repealed on October 3, 2001; Act No. 4709)
The State shall take the necessary measures to ensure freedom of
the press and information.
In the limitation of freedom of the press, the provisions of
articles 26 and 27 of the Constitution shall apply.
Anyone who writes any news or articles which threaten the
internal or external security of the State or the indivisible integrity of
the State with its territory and nation, which tend to incite offence, riot
or insurrection, or which refer to classified state secrets or has them
printed, and anyone who prints or transmits such news or articles
to others for the purposes above, shall be held responsible under the
law relevant to these offences. Distribution may be prevented as a
precautionary measure by the decision of a judge, or in case delay is
deemed prejudicial, by the competent authority explicitly designated
by law. The authority preventing the distribution shall notify a
competent judge of its decision within twenty-four hours at the latest.
The order preventing distribution shall become null and void unless
upheld by a competent judge within forty-eight hours at the latest.
14
No ban shall be placed on the reporting of events, except by the
decision of judge issued within the limits specified by law, to ensure
proper functioning of the judiciary.
Periodical and non-periodical publications may be seized by a
decision of a judge in cases of ongoing investigation or prosecution
of crimes specified by law; or by order of the competent authority
explicitly designated by law, in situations where delay may constitute
a prejudice with respect to the protection of the indivisible integrity of
the State with its territory and nation, national security, public order
or public morals and for the prevention of crime. The competent
authority issuing the order to seize shall notify a competent judge of
its decision within twenty-four hours at the latest; the order to seize
shall become null and void unless upheld by a judge within forty-eight
hours at the latest.
General provisions shall apply when seizing and confiscating
periodicals and non-periodicals for reasons of criminal investigation
and prosecution.
Periodicals published in Turkey may be temporarily suspended
by court ruling if found to contain material which contravenes the
indivisible integrity of the State with its territory and nation, the
fundamental principles of the Republic, national security and public
morals. Any publication which clearly bears the characteristics of
being a continuation of a suspended periodical is prohibited; and shall
be seized by decision of a judge.
Quote from: Munch on June 26, 2015, 05:22:20 PM
And heres why I have no desire to go to other countries like this. I'd sooner look at the progressive listings of a country before ever deciding to go there.
If you mean visiting the country, I don't think there would be a problem. We had so many British coming down, vacation spots were designed for them and it was ridiculous, some Brits and other Europeans hated it. I remember Fidel saying somnething like that too . Millions.
Also before the religious party, we had British people who lived most of the year in the area I live because it is very cheap, warm, you have sun at most of the year, and easy to live in. Those people lived here, because life in UK is far more difficult in many aspects compared to the region I live. I mean come on, would you want to live in London? I have met a few of them. But, Europeans cannot be 'immigrants' you see, so it was unspoken. :lol: There were summer sites here full houses owned by Europeans. For some reason, we always get too much Brits though. I blame the hot sunny weather. A lot of lobster red people went around, watching football and getting drunk starting from April to November. Most international marriages here are Brit male-Turkish female. (I am not counting Germans. It's a special condition.)
After 9/11 and invasions, it started to change. I have no idea what's the picture now. Probably it went bad.
But if you consider the world demographics, it is not surprising. It wil eventually come to that. May be not in our life time, but it will. And that is going to 'save' the world. Real hard compulsory mingling. :lol:
Hassiktir!
Well just think of the children and the martyrs and the children of martyrs! If they found out Big Spooky isn't real Turkey might become secular! :eek:
Quote from: AllPurposeAtheist on June 27, 2015, 02:22:42 PM
Well just think of the children and the martyrs and the children of martyrs! If they found out Big Spooky isn't real Turkey might become secular! :eek:
Naaah, they need to find a lot more than that to get secular. :whistle:
Quote from: drunkenshoe on June 27, 2015, 03:02:43 PM
Naaah, they need to find a lot more than that to get secular. :whistle:
But, but, but..FOR THE LOVE OF BABY JESUS! THINK OF THE CHILDREN! :lol: