Stockholm 2011-02-07

Pinar Selek is a sociologist, feminist and political activist in Turkey. As such her ideas and activities has been controversial in the Turkish society and a challenge to powerful established powers and circles in the Turkish society, which in different ways has tried to oppress her ideas and activities by misusing the Turkish juridical system.

Pinar Selek has been controversial and a challenge to the authorities because she as a sociologist and researcher has examined the situation of different minorities in the Turkish society. The authorities have not understood that scientific research must occur under free and democratic circumstance. If not the results are worthless. What the Turkish authorities try to do is to criminalize different kinds of scientific results of results of research. This is absurd.

The authorities have put her into prison on false accusations and fabricating false witnesses given under torture twice. Pinar Selek has been taken to court on the false accusations and witnesses. Both times she has been found not guilty. Now conservative political powers try to set up a third trial, which is juridical scandal.

If Turkey wants to be a part of the European union it must be adjusted to the juridical principals founded on human and democratic rights. If Pinar Selek and people with ideas and activities like hers are taken to court for political processes the chances for a full membership of the European Union will decrease.