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Trade union repression in Turkey condemned
27 April 2007
The ITF and its European arm, the European Transport Workers' Federation (ETF) have condemned the relentless clampdown on union activists in Turkey following reports that two trade unionists have been given prison sentences.
Legal proceedings were brought against 11 executive members of a number of Turkish trade unions in the wake of a peaceful demonstration on 2 December 2005; they were sentenced to one year and three months’ imprisonment and given a fine of 407 YTL (US$307) each. Sentences for nine of them have now been suspended; however, those for Fehmi Kutan, former President of the ITF-affiliated transport workers’ union, Birlesik Tasimacilik Çalisanlari Sendikasi, and Ismail Hakki Tombul, President of the confederation of public sector unions, Kamu Emekçileri Sendikaları Konfederasyonu (KESK), have not. If these sentences are confirmed by the Turkish Higher Court of Appeal, both union leaders would be sent to prison.
In a letter dated 26 April to Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, ITF General Secretary David Cockroft and ETF General Secretary Eduardo Chagas denounced these repressive measures. They also called for the charges against Fehmi Kutan and Ismail Hakki Tombul to be dropped and reminded him of “the damage these anti-union attacks are causing to the reputation of your country, at a time when Turkey is negotiating accession to the European Union.”
The ITF and ETF condemnation follows similar protests from the International Trade Union Confederation - to whom KESK is affiliated - and the European Trade Union Confederation.
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