Conscientious objector Halil Savda
Use this form to send the letter below to the relevant authority (Ahmet Necdet Sezer, President of the Turkish Republic). You can add your own notes in a separate box after the standard text, if you wish. You must include a name, address, and email address; a copy will be sent to you with a cc to the WRI office (so we have a record of how many email letters have been sent out for this particular case).
Dear Mr President Ahmet Necdet Sezer
I am very concerned about the safety of conscientious objector Halil Savda. Gendarmerie attempted his arrest on 11 April at noon, searching all houses in the village of Kocatepe, where he lives.
Following the recent eruption of violence between police and protestors in the Kurdish provinces of Turkey, Halil Savda issued a statement on 8 April, calling for conscientious objection. He also gave a TV interview. We can only assume that these statements lead to the recent attempt to arrest conscientious objector Halil Savda.
We fear for his safety in case of arrest, and want to point out that he is exercising his right to conscientious objection, and his right to freedom of speech, both fundamental human rights.
I call on you to respect the right to life, the right to freedom of speech, and the right to conscientious objection.
- Sign and send this protest email