Hrant Dink: Turkey and France can race to see who can jail me first

[anafor2004]

Hrant Dink: Turkey and France can race to see who can jail me first



http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/_newsimages/2276809.jpgThe head editor of the Turkey-based Armenian "Agos" newspaper, Hrant Dink, has said this week that he will be heading for France to protest the bill that would call for punishment for those publicly denying the so-called Armenian genocide. Dink's announcement has awakened particular interest in that it comes in the wake of a year during which Dink himself was tried in Turkey for "insulting Turkishness" by defending the veracity of the Armenian genocide.


Commenting on the "genocide denial bill," which is scheduled to come before the French Parliament October 12, Dink said "When this bill appeared first, we were fast to declare as a group that it would lead to bad results......As you know, I have been tried in Turkey for saying the Armenian genocide exists, and I have talked about how wrong this is. But at the same time, I cannot accept that in France you could possibly now be tried for denying the Armenian genocide. If this bill becomes law, I will be among the first to head for France and break the law. Then we can watch both the Turkish Republic and the French government race against eachother to condemn me. We can watch to see which will throw me into jail first.....I really think that France, if it makes this bill law, will be hurting not only the EU, but Armenians across the world. It will also damage the normalizing of relations between Armenia and Turkey. What the peoples of these two countries need is dialogue, and all these laws do is harm such dialogue."

[Argyll]

How can he break that French Law ,if on one hand he's already aknowledged that the genocide existed?


As you know, I have been tried in Turkey for saying the Armenian genocide exists, and I have talked about how wrong this is

And now he says he's going to go to France and Deny it?

The Bill, IF passed is about punishing those who deny such an atrocity,not those who recognise it, it sounds like he's getting Turkey mixed up with France here


anafor2004............you're trolling mate.....watch your step!

[Clearday-TRForce]

How can he break that French Law ,if on one hand he's already aknowledged that the genocide existed?



And now he says he's going to go to France and Deny it?

The Bill, IF passed is about punishing those who deny such an atrocity,not those who recognise it, it sounds like he's getting Turkey mixed up with France here


anafor2004............you're trolling mate.....watch your step!


Agryll, you know you support a side but you continuesly shut the forums while you are writing many things. Why? coz you are admin. Only reason to say something.


Well. G'day.

[Argyll]

Then get your Buddy to stop trolling!!

This was kept open as it's a guy contradicting himself!!

Have a nice day, oh and yes it's my perogative to be able to shut topics,and If I thought they were not intentional flamebait in response to the Turkey/Armenian Genocide issue then they'd be kept open

And I support neither France,Turkey,Armenia nor Algeria....Like I said to you before skeletons in closets, but the recent posts today are a tit for tat dig at the French........even Stevie Wonder could see this!!

[Atlantic Friend]

I kind of see Hrant Dink's point, as such laws, regardless we agree with ehti particular object or not, aim at punishing "thought crime" and end up hindering serious academic work.

I'd rather have people free to deny the assertions that the Armenian genocide (or any other) ever happened, and free to be engaged in an honest, no holds-barred debate with people who are free to say that said genocide did happen.

Alas,Turkey never wanted such a debate in the past, and it seems that we are following suit on behalf of the Armenians who, like Mr Dink, might prefer a more rational approach.

[Clearday-TRForce]

I kind of see Hrant Dink's point, as such laws, regardless we agree with ehti particular object or not, aim at punishing "thought crime" and end up hindering serious academic work.

I'd rather have people free to deny the assertions that the Armenian genocide (or any other) ever happened, and free to be engaged in an honest, no holds-barred debate with people who are free to say that said genocide did happen.

Alas,Turkey never wanted such a debate in the past, and it seems that we are following suit on behalf of the Armenians who, like Mr Dink, might prefer a more rational approach.


Turkey makes these debates in the recent years. So, why some EU countries want to block free speech and debate among people?

[Atlantic Friend]

Turkey makes these debates in the recent years. So, why some EU countries want to block free speech and debate among people?

How can such debates occur when the Turkish Penal Codes still keeps that section 305 (IIRC) that says you can go to jail for publishing material incriminating Turkey in the Armenian genocide ?

[Clearday-TRForce]

How can such debates occur when the Turkish Penal Codes still keeps that section 305 (IIRC) that says you can go to jail for publishing material incriminating Turkey in the Armenian genocide ?


But it is how strange no one has gone to jail for this codes. Why? but you will show them to go jail in the France. Why?

Meanwhile, due to increasing tension betwen France and Turkey. There is a very important historical documents published by TAF(Turkish Armed Forces) about Armenians actions in France during 1915-1918. I hope Armenian Government will open their archieves to the world. Turkey already opened their archieves and everybody can investigate it. This is another well-done good movement and show the intention of our state to see realities in front of the world historians.

[Atlantic Friend]

But it is how strange no one has gone to jail for this codes. Why? but you will show them to go jail in the France. Why?

Meanwhile, due to increasing tension betwen France and Turkey. There is a very important historical documents published by TAF(Turkish Armed Forces) about Armenians actions in France during 1915-1918. I hope Armenian Government will open their archieves to the world. Turkey already opened their archieves and everybody can investigate it. This is another well-done good movement and show the intention of our state to see realities in front of the world historians.

Don't take offence, Clearday, but it's as if post-war Germany said it had proof that influent Jews in London or Washington had invented the Holocaust, while at the same time threatening to jail German historians who dared say otherwise.

And if Section 305 of the Penal Code is not used anymore, then :

- why does Turkey keep it ?
- why do you think the French law would have worse effects than this Penal Code section ?

I mean, obviously, if you can have an open debate in Turkey about the Armenian genocide despite of a penal code saying you can be jailed for the next 10 years, then you certainly can have an open debate with a French law which, if passed, will be considerable more lenient.

[Clearday-TRForce]

Don't take offence, Clearday, but it's as if post-war Germany said it had proof that influent Jews in London or Washington had invented the Holocaust, while at the same time threatening to jail German historians who dared say otherwise.

And if Section 305 of the Penal Code is not used anymore, then :

- why does Turkey keep it ?
- why do you think the French law would have worse effects than this Penal Code section ?

I mean, obviously, if you can have an open debate in Turkey about the Armenian genocide despite of a penal code saying you can be jailed for the next 10 years, then you certainly can have an open debate with a French law which, if passed, will be considerable more lenient.

The penal codes are not only related to armenian genocide. But some anti Turkish EU parts want to use it for their benefit. There is no any person to be jailed for this section. So do you confirm France will do same like Turkey?




Meanwhile;



As the French Parliament is preparing to debate a controversial bill on the alleged Armenian genocide, the Turkish business world is discussing retaliatory scenarios ranging from a total boycott of French goods to excluding French firms from public tenders

CEYDA ÇAĞLAYAN/İSMAİL YANMAZ

ISTANBUL


Prior to Sept. 12, when the French Parliament will be debating a highly controversial bill on the alleged Armenian genocide, reactions are building up in the Turkish and French business world.

In the event the bill passes the French Parliament, several retaliatory scenarios ranging from a total boycott of French products to excluding French firms from Turkey's public tenders are being highlighted. Meanwhile, 277 French companies operating in Turkey are concerned about the developments.

In the event of a boycott, the loss of French companies may reach $1 billion. French companies operating in Turkey have sent warning letters to their headquarters in France, drawing attention to possible economic consequences.

The Turkish-French Trade Association that has 250 French firms as members has launched a signature campaign over the Internet on Friday. The number of signatures it has collected has already reached 10,000 people including CEOs, personnel from Turkish and French companies, several French officials in Turkey and Turkish-Armenian citizens.

“The consequences of the existing tension in French-Turkish relations will be beyond imagination,” head of the Turkish-French Trade Association executive committee Yves-Marie Laouenan said. He added that the French Confederation of Business Enterprises (MEDEF) that corresponds to Turkish Industrialists and Businessmen's Association (TÜSİAD) in Turkey has already started lobbying among French officials to stop the bill.

“I regret to say that as French businessmen, our efforts to stop this bill are more than the efforts Turkey exerts,” Laouenan said. Turkey fell short of explaining its views and there is an image problem of Turkey regarding the French public, he said.

“Two-hundred-fifty French companies concerned about the developments are lobbying in France. Each and every one of them is contacting politicians one by one and explaining the consequences of what they are about to carry out,” p-) Laouenan told Referans.

He explained that they were concerned about a possible boycott on French goods and losses could reach millions of dollars. He pointed out that this kind of an action might harm Turkey also in the long term.

Helicopter tender may be suspended:

Turkish Union of Chambers and Commodities Exchanges (TOBB) head Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu, who was involved in lobbying activities prior to another previous vote on May 18, is again on his way to Paris to contact businesspeople.

The French Union of Chambers, the Euro Chamber, the Paris Chamber of Commerce and heads of French businessmen's associations are among Hisarcıklıoğlu's list of contacts. He says he will ask French businessmen to pressure their government.

Common sense should prevail in solving this issue, Hisarcıklıoğlu commented. He added, “France is not our addressee in this issue; it is Armenia. Just because 400,000 Armenians live in France, they have no right to create tension between the two countries and jeopardize economic relations.”

In the event the bill is approved in the French Parliament, a boycott of French goods as well as excluding French firms from defense industry aircraft purchases, public tenders on helicopter purchases or nuclear projects are considered to be options.

Despite the risk of non-compliance with European Union acquis communataire (laws and regulations) rules out the possibility of such an open exclusion, it is reported that several methods do exist to exclude French firms from the process.

Some French firms operating in Turkey

Accor services International

Citroen

Carrefour

Dacia

Danone

Groupama

Peugeot

Renault

Lafarge

L'Oreal

Louis Vuitton

Michelin



Turkey – France foreign trade (million $)

Year export import volume

2000 1657.0 3531.8 5188.8

2001 1895.3 2283.9 4179.2

2002 2197.8 3007.2 5115.0

2003 2817.5 4158.0 6975.5

2004 3662.2 6194.2 9856.4

2005 3788.9 5870.7 9659.7

Turkey's largest import items from France

Automotive and related industries

Machinery

Electric machines

Plastic

Iron-steel

Pharmaceutical products

Optical goods

Rubber and rubber products

Chemicals

Aircraft





regards,
CDTRF

[Atlantic Friend]

Well, if Turkey wants a boycott, who am I to tell Turkey what to do ? We've been threatened of boycott by bigger players than Turkey, in the past few years, so good luck with that - I'm pretty sure it'll indeed do wonders to help Turkey's cause, as I see Turkish exports to France are quite significant too.

At some point Turkey will have to boycott all the countries who granted official recognition to the Armenian genocide, so at least we'll be in good company ! ;)

[Beykoz]

And now he says he's going to go to France and Deny it?

Yep, that’s what he is saying.
His exact words is that, those who pass these draconian®, laws in Turkey and France are of the same mentality.




And if Section 305 of the Penal Code is not used anymore...

Clearday didn’t say the penal code “is not used anymore”.
He said it has never been used to jail anyone.

French law passed a judgement against a British Historian back in 2001 for saying ‘genocide did not happen’.
Swiss Government is reported to have issued a warrant for a Turkish Historian’s arrest.

It’s obvious we have different sets of rules in EU, the epitome of democracy.



I am going to quote you from the other thread, if you don’t mind.

Well, precisely, (http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/showpost.php?p=1985178&postcount=60) wouldn't it be a sign that we are quite convinced things happened the way Armenians said they did ?

Of course you do, but it was never a matter you had to consider.
You had been supporting the Armenians from the very beginning. There are hundreds of documents in Turkish archives proving the extent the French Government had gone to incite the Armenians.
After letting them down 80+ years ago, the least you could do now is to support them in any way you see significant.

[roland]

When something is well proven scientifically and some continue to deny it, it's either irrational, either pilitically motivated.
Those who judge politically advantageous to deny genocides are Nazis or revisionists,.
None are respectable in Republic.
Denying genocide is most ofensive for the surviviors and there descents (there is a lot of armenian in France, notably in my town) and it seems the less there is witnesses still alive the more confident the revisionists are. .. and the more they can influence naives or ignorants.
Doesn't mean I approve the law, but it can be justified.
Scientific studies are NOT going to be banned anyway (of course).

Now Turkish threat aren't going to do any good to them. As if it's not proven well enough that threat is not the right way to gain influence on France :roll:

[Beykoz]

When something is well proven scientifically and some continue to deny it, it's either irrational, either pilitically motivated.

Nothing is proven scientifically, no judgement has been passed by any court of law.
A lot of Armenian "facts" are proven to be fake in the mean time.




Denying genocide is most ofensive for the surviviors and there descents (there is a lot of armenian in France, notably in my town) and it seems the less there is witnesses still alive the more confident the revisionists are. .. and the more they can influence naives or ignorants.
What about the Turkish witnesses in Turkey...?
Just because they haven't spread around the world to influence others doesn't make them less credible.

[Clearday-TRForce]

Well, if Turkey wants a boycott, who am I to tell Turkey what to do ? We've been threatened of boycott by bigger players than Turkey, in the past few years, so good luck with that - I'm pretty sure it'll indeed do wonders to help Turkey's cause, as I see Turkish exports to France are quite significant too.

At some point Turkey will have to boycott all the countries who granted official recognition to the Armenian genocide, so at least we'll be in good company ! ;)


Mate, Turkey has always different alternatives too. And you can be sure they desperately want it in their companies. If Turkey doesnt want to give a job to France, then he can easily give these things to USA-England-Israel-Russia...so there are many players to to take it rightly than you.

You must consider that USA-Israel- etc. doesnt recognize so-called Armenian genocide too. The problem of EU,they have large Turkish population over 6 ml in different parts of EU. And they dont want to see a larger one into EU.These armenian claims are the reflections of desires about Turkey in EU. So everybody can go to their way. New opportunities,companies,unions have always there.

Such as what does transatlantic union says while Turkey decide to enter Shangai Union with China-Russia? who wants it? anti-Turkish propogandists in EU? It is clear that this is a policy, no one interests in genocides. If it was, why dont you write anything recent events in Iraq? There are over 650k Iraqian people died in this war period in their country. For What? Peace? isnt it ironic?



regards,
CDTRF

[Atlantic Friend]

There are hundreds of documents in Turkish archives proving the extent the French Government had gone to incite the Armenians.

Are you saying we incited the Armenians to get massacred so as to embarass Turkey ?

Or are you saying we encouraged Armenians - who already had a shaky history of living under Ottoman rule since the 1880s (weren't there Christian massacres under the reign of Sultan Abdulhamid the Second, BTW ?) - to revolt against a Central Power we were at war with ?

If that's the second, well, yes, we sure did, the same way the Allies incited the Arabs to rebel against Turkey. We were at WAR against each other, our soldiers and sailors were happily killing each other wherever the occasion arose, so why not inciting an already rebellious province to rebel against you ?

So in the end, are you saying there were no massacre of Armenian by the Ottoman Empire, or that such massacres were vastly justified by what you call massacres of Turks by the Armenian rebels ? Which one is it ?

[Clearday-TRForce]

There is no need to discuss like "christians/muslims/others"...It is not a middle age period. I wonder what France parl. will do today?

[Atlantic Friend]

Mate, Turkey has always different alternatives too. And you can be sure they desperately want it in their companies. If Turkey doesnt want to give a job to France, then he can easily give these things to USA-England-Israel-Russia...so there are many players to to take it rightly than you.

Well, as I said, good luck with that little boycott.


You must consider that USA-Israel- etc. doesnt recognize so-called Armenian genocide too. The problem of EU,they have large Turkish population over 6 ml in different parts of EU. And they dont want to see a larger one into EU.These armenian claims are the reflections of desires about Turkey in EU. So everybody can go to their way. New opportunities,companies,unions have always there.

That these countries do not recognize the Armenian genocide say more about politics than it does about historical accuracy - but well, that's my personal opinion. I think eventually these countries' Parliament will pass similar statements, so you might want to be prepared for a lot of boycotting in years to come.


Such as what does transatlantic union says while Turkey decide to enter Shangai Union with China-Russia?

What is the Transatlantic Union ? NATO ? Or the EU ?

If it's the EU, then I don't think the EU will say much. It's Turkey's choice, not the EU's. Also, you might want to keep in mind that the EU's interest in Turkey is largely based on trade. If our trade level is reduced through boycotts, however legal or legitimate they are, then the EU's collective interest in Turkey will drop accordingly.


who wants it? anti-Turkish propogandists in EU? It is clear that this is a policy, no one interests in genocides. If it was, why dont you write anything recent events in Iraq? There are over 650k Iraqian people died in this war period in their country. For What? Peace? isnt it ironic?

Are you saying the Americans are doing to the Iraqi civilians what the Ottomans did (or according to you, did not do) to the Armenians ?

[Clearday-TRForce]

Well, as I said, good luck with that little boycott.

That these countries do not recognize the Armenian genocide say more about politics than it does about historical accuracy - but well, that's my personal opinion. I think eventually these countries' Parliament will pass similar statements, so you might want to be prepared for a lot of boycotting in years to come.

I dont think so. It is very very hard to see Israel or USA against us due to importance of relations. Maybe it can be in different centuries.




What is the Transatlantic Union ? NATO ? Or the EU ?

It means you need to read it what it is or not, what are their aim or not?



If it's the EU, then I don't think the EU will say much. It's Turkey's choice, not the EU's. Also, you might want to keep in mind that the EU's interest in Turkey is largely based on trade. If our trade level is reduced through boycotts, however legal or legitimate they are, then the EU's collective interest in Turkey will drop accordingly.

If EU drop, then NAFTA or Shangai will rise...So?




Are you saying the Americans are doing to the Iraqi civilians what the Ottomans did (or according to you, did not do) to the Armenians ?


No, americans do this now but a few of yours discuss it, but you are very desperately want to discuss approximately 100 years ago things. Why? isnt it a hypo?

[Argyll]

650K Iraqis, did not die at the hands of the Americans though, 90% died at the hands of their own people.............fellow Iraqi's....no change there then from Pre 2003 years

[Clearday-TRForce]

650K Iraqis, did not die at the hands of the Americans though, 90% died at the hands of their own people.............fellow Iraqi's....no change there then from Pre 2003 years

so for what reason? who has started this things there? what is the main motor?

[Argyll]

because you stated it's Americans who are killing all these Iraqi's, I've just corrected your statement. ;)

[Clearday-TRForce]

because you stated it's Americans who are killing all these Iraqi's, I've just corrected your statement. ;)


Correct,:) meanwhile I advise you to come Antalya (Belek-Side-Kemer-Alanya)and Aegean (Marmaris-Bodrum-Fethiye-Kas-Cesme), Blacksea, Mardin and of course Isranbul side of Turkey. You will see the history of mankind (with modern world together.

http://www.turkishodyssey.com/turkey/history/history.htm
http://www.turizm.net/turkey/history/index.html
http://www.hitit.co.uk/HistoryTk.html

[tooms]

Play the boycott card like USA did in 2003... lol
Some companies fear to lose some cash but that won't change our mind. Sometimes ideas are more important than money.

[Beykoz]

Are you saying we incited the Armenians to get massacred so as to embarass Turkey ?
Plain English mate, no need to put words in my mouth.
The point I was making is that, accepting the so called Armenian genocide or not was never an issue for French government. Your backing of the Armenians from the very beginning is well documented.




If that's the second, well, yes, we sure did, the same way the Allies incited the Arabs to rebel against Turkey. We were at WAR against each other, our soldiers and sailors were happily killing each other wherever the occasion arose, so why not inciting an already rebellious province to rebel against you ?

Since you raise new points, yes, in a way I hold the French indirectly responsible for the massacres that eventuated. You used the Armenians like pawns without a care for their well being at the time. All your efforts ended in a miserable failure and now you try to gain the moral high ground by passing ever so insignificant (for the cause) laws in your parliament. What do we think about it…? We are angry but do not loose a minute’s sleep. I personally welcome the news, as it will awaken the remaining %25 in Turkey that are still hopeful of EU accession.




So in the end, are you saying there were no massacre of Armenian by the Ottoman Empire, or that such massacres were vastly justified by what you call massacres of Turks by the Armenian rebels ? Which one is it ?
We never denied the massacres that took place. Massacres were committed by both sides and the suffrage was shared, which was the reason the deportations were ordered. Do the Armenians recognize our losses and suffrage…? Should we see their actions as systematically cleansing the land they were promised, of Muslim population…?

For the period of 1914-21, we lost 1.2mil in Eastern Anatolia, 1.25mil in Western Anatolia and 410K in Caucasus. There was a further 1.65mil Turkish refugees driven out of their homes. These are conservative estimates of civilian deaths and displacements, add them up and stack’em up against the highest Armenian numbers. And do tell me how it can be a one sided genocide if both parties were massacred.

[Sharp]

did we have in {our geat country ma tendre France} a law against peoples denying holocost or such things?

[Atlantic Friend]

Plain English mate, no need to put words in my mouth.

As a rule, I don't do that.


The point I was making is that, accepting the so called Armenian genocide or not was never an issue for French government. Your backing of the Armenians from the very beginning is well documented.

And very legitimate, wouldn't you say ?


Since you raise new points, yes, in a way I hold the French indirectly responsible for the massacres that eventuated.

Ah-ha ! So there were massacres ? Goodness, ten threads and God knows how many messages to finally acknowledge that yes, there were massacres of Armenians.


You used the Armenians like pawns without a care for their well being at the time. All your efforts ended in a miserable failure and now you try to gain the moral high ground by passing ever so insignificant (for the cause) laws in your parliament.

We used the Armenians ? Yes, we certainly did. And they used the Allies at the same time, because we had some common goals, chiefly the defeat of the Ottoman Empire and the securing of the Near- and Middle-East.

But no, the objective of the Congressman who proposed that law isn't to try to win at Gallipoli in 1915 retrospectively...:roll:


We never denied the massacres that took place.

Gosh, then what's the need for that Penal Code section ? Why are other Turkish members of this forum so fired up about admitting such massacres, and why are there talks about boycotting countries should they actively acknowledge them ?

[ARM MiG-29]

The French lower house of parliament, the National Assembly, approved a bill on Thursday making it a crime to deny that the Ottoman Turks committed Genocide against Armenians during World War One. A total of 106 deputies voted in favor of the bill while 19 voted against, France Info radio reports. The amendment of former minister Patrick Devedjian, authorizing the debate of the historians on the history of the Genocide, was rejected by the deputies. The bill has still to be ratified by the upper house, the Senate, and the President Jacques Chirac before it becomes law.

The bill provides for one year of imprisonment and a fine of 45 thousand Euros for denying the Armenian Genocide in Ottoman Turkey during World War I.
http://www.panarmenian.net/news/eng/?nid=19649

[stephane from Paris]

Well, it's elections in a faw months and the 500 000 armenians frenchs (their parents came here because of their fate in their countries) seems to be a strong lobby.
I don't care about this law but i note that peoples who denies the Shoa, who express racists comments or who says : nazism or facism was not so bad faces the same law since a long time.
Is it saving free speech to permit that?
In Turkey a woman who spoke kurdish language in the parliament faced 10years of prisons if my memory is good!
Speaking about an armenian genocide in Turkey is forbiden too!!

So the lessons about democracy from the Asian bridge pffffffffffffffffff.

I notice that lots of guys said that France act only for its economical interrests but it's the great example that France can act against it!
If turks boycott our products they will mainly boycott their owns workers and will acts against anglos financials interrests.

[Beykoz]

Ah-ha ! So there were massacres ? Goodness, ten threads and God knows how many messages to finally acknowledge that yes, there were massacres of Armenians.
.
.
Gosh, then what's the need for that Penal Code section ? Why are other Turkish members of this forum so fired up about admitting such massacres, and why are there talks about boycotting countries should they actively acknowledge them ?
Come on mate… Listen to what we say.
We don’t deny the massacres that took place, I don’t believe anybody has. We vehemently deny the “genocide” allegations, I believe you can’t distinguish in between the two. We are (well, I am personally) hesitant to come out and say we massacred Armenians, as there is no recognition of slain Turks of the time.

You explained how the things worked without me having to go there. If I use same explanation, I’m immediately seen as an “apologist” talking the matters down. It was a war environment and we weren’t in it just against the Armenians. Their motives at the time are obvious, so are the motives of the Allied forces. We didn’t target the Armenians because they were the “Armenians”, or they were “Christians”, but because they were terrorising the Turks with the backing of their allies. What else were we to do…? You had your common goals, our goal was simply to survive on the map. Your legitimate reasons to back the Armenians naturally produced our legitimate reasons to defend what we consider as our soil, against you and the Armenians. Wouldn’t you say…?

The massacres (katliam in Turkish) and deportations (sürgün or tehcir) aren’t taboo in Turkey, the alleged genocide (soykırım) is. The penal code 305 is there to protect fundamental national interests and isn’t specifically in place for the subject at hand.
It states :

1) A citizen who either directly or indirectly accepts from a foreign individual or organization pecuniary benefits for himself or for another person in return for engaging in activities against fundamental national interests or for that reason shall be sentenced to [...lists the penalties.] The same penalty shall be imposed on the person who provides the benefit or makes the promise.
.
.
4) Within the meaning of the present article, fundamental national interests shall mean independence, territorial integrity, national security and the fundamental qualities defined in the Constitution of the Republic.

The code 301 protects symbols of State sovereignty and its last paragraph states :

(4) Expression of opinions with the purpose of criticism does not require penalties.


Now, these laws are similar to the ones in many countries’ constitutions, in fact I believe French has a similar code 305, with the difference being that, Turkish laws are being scrutinized during the so called EU accession. Turkey was never a proper candidate for EU (for many legitimate reasons) and the sincerity of the union in considering is highly curious, as well as our current government’s efforts to join.

The following is my personal opinion, so read and reply accordingly :
It’s becoming quite clear by the day that, your union is trying to achieve what they couldn’t 90 years ago, by pursuing political manipulation of the current Turkish Government, rather taken taking up arms. EU would like to reshape our current borders simply by aiding a separatist terrorist organization, constantly asserting Armenian genocide allegations for us to accept and inventing new ones like Phontus and Assyttirlan genocide allegations. Our government is quite keen on these talks simply because they may see the military, the guarantor of secular Turkey, as something unnecessary. Erdogan may even feel as, the military hinders his vision of more religious oriented Turkey. Forget about bringing democracy to Turkey and the general well being of the Turks, these are nothing but fallacious, feel good statements on the surface.

The solace in our patience is that, governments come and governments go. You continue on making all the noise you like, we will wait till the next elections to voice our opinion.