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Turkish trade unionists released on bail. ITF: ‘now it’s time to drop charges’
10 June 2008
The ITF today applauded the release on bail of seven Turkish trade unionists held for 200 days on trumped up charges and said that now it’s time to drop the court case against the innocent men.
Mac Urata, Secretary of the ITF’s Inland Transport Section, was in court in Ankara to support the victims of what is being seen as a clear case of political victimisation. He explained the background to the judges’ decision to release the men from custody without a cash surety and on orders to report again to court on 18 September 2008:
“In November of last year fifteen members of the TÜMTIS road transport trade union who had been signing up new members were arrested for ‘setting up a criminal organisation’. This sort of state harassment is not unusual in Turkey. What’s unusual is that the charges weren’t quietly dropped a few days afterwards when those responsible felt they’d warned off the union. Instead seven of the men have been held in jail for over 200 days and there has been harassment of other union activists. It emerged that police had intercepted the men’s phone calls for three months before the arrests and had found absolutely on evidence of any wrongdoing.“
Urata continued: “The threat to these trade unionists was so serious that TÜMTIS and other Turkish trade unions put out urgent calls for international help. Among that support was the dispatch of a delegation from the ITF and the German trade union Ver.di, who had the pleasure of seeing the court officials’ realisation that this time there were outside witnesses to the attempt to muzzle and discredit the prisoners. This and the strength of the union’s support for their members is the only explanation for the decision to let the men go for now. “
“However, “ Urata cautioned, “there is still a real risk that these union activists could be further endangered. The charges are clearly ridiculous, but the penalties they involve are deeply serious. We remind the Turkish government and courts that this ugly attempt to stop a free trade union from attracting new members has gone far too far already. It is time to drop these clumsy, manufactured charges and let these men go. The international community expects nothing less.”
ENDS
For more information contact ITF press officer, Sam Dawson.
Direct line: + 44 (0)20 7940 9260.
Email: dawson_sam@itf.org.uk
International Transport Workers' Federation - ITF:
HEAD OFFICE
ITF House, 49 - 60 Borough Road, London SE1 1DS
Tel: + 44 (0) 20 7403 2733
Fax: + 44 (0) 20 7375 7871
Email: mail@itf.org.uk
Web: www.itfglobal.org
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