[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 177 (Thursday, November 9, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2153]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       NEW JERSEY JOURNALIST ACQUITTED BY TURKISH MILITARY COURT

                                 ______


                       HON. CHRISTOPHER H. SMITH

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, November 9, 1995

  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express by 
heartfelt relief that fellow American Aliza Marcus was acquitted by a 
State Security Court in Turkey today. The charges which had been 
brought against her raised serious questions about Turkish leaders' 
stated commitments to democracy, and her trial generated substantial 
interest in the United States and among Members of Congress. Perhaps 
more than any recent case, the trial of this Rueters journalist from 
New Jersey heightened awareness about restrictions on free speech in 
Turkey. Her case was specifically protested in report language on the 
recently passed foreign operations appropriations bill. Yesterday 9 
Senators and 38 of my House colleagues joined me in an urgent appeal to 
the Turkey's President Demirel on behalf of Aliza Marcus and others 
charged with or imprisoned for speech crimes.
  Mr. Speaker, in addition to the acquittal of Ms. Marcus, I am also 
encouraged by steps Turkey has recently taken to alter article 8 of the 
antiterror law, which has frequently been used to criminalize free 
speech. The release, since October 30, of up to 80 persons detained 
under article 8 is a significant positive development which offers 
further hope that this restrictive law, and others like it will soon 
become anachronisms in Turkey, as they have become in other European 
States.
  Unfortunately, however, the Government of Turkey continues to 
routinely charge, convict, and imprison individuals for speech crimes. 
I would point out that four Kurdish members of Turkey's Parliament 
remain imprisoned for speech crimes, including Leyla Zana, who today 
was awarded the European Parliament's Sakharov prize for freedom of 
thought. It is sadly ironic that 1 day before the State Security Court 
acquitted Ms. Marcus, charges were brought against eight leaders of one 
of Turkey's most respected human rights organizations, the Human Rights 
Foundation. I recently met with the foundation's president, Yavuz Onen, 
when he was here to accept an award on behalf of the foundation.
  Mr. Speaker, another troubling issue underscored by Ms. Marcus' case 
relates to the role of the military-sponsored State Security Courts. 
These legacies of military law pose serious questions about judicial 
independence in Turkey and the role of the military in Turkey's 
political life. These courts continue to be responsible for the 
imprisonment of Turkish intellectuals, journalists, and others, and are 
increasingly viewed as a major impediment to Turkish democracy.
  Mr. Speaker, as long as the Government of Turkey maintains and uses 
laws to restrict free expression, and as long as hundreds of political 
prisoners remain in jail, questions about the Government's stated 
international human rights commitments will remain. Given the high 
priority Turkish leaders have placed upon Turkey's entry into the 
European Customs Union, recent reforms seem to reflect more of a 
commitment to good public relations than to principles of democracy.
  Mr. Speaker, I have always supported the strategic, economic, and 
political foundations upon which our vital partnership with Turkey are 
based and have supported the Turkish Government's right to combat 
terrorism. Yet if we support these objectives to the detriment of human 
rights, we are doing a disservice to the people of Turkey and are 
undermining our own long-term policies in the region.

                          ____________________