Pınar Selek Explained

Pınar Selek
Occupation:Sociologist, author
Nationality:Turkish, French
Alma Mater:Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University, University of Strasbourg
Subject:Minority rights, Kurdish issue, women's rights

Pınar Selek (born October 8, 1971) is a Turkish sociologist, feminist, and author.[1] She is known for her work on the rights of vulnerable communities in Turkey, including women, the poor, street children, sexual minorities, and Kurdish communities, and for the ensuing political persecution. She is the author of several books published in Turkish, German, and French, and is one of the founding editors of Amargi, a Turkish feminist journal.[2] She currently resides in France where she obtained academic exile in Strasbourg then Nice under the French PAUSE program. She later obtained a permanent assistant professor position in sociology at Université Côte d'Azur,[3] with the Migrations and Society Research Unit. She became a French citizen in 2017.

Selek has been prosecuted since 1998 in Turkey, in an affair which has attempted to tie her to an explosion that occurred at the Spice Bazaar, Istanbul in 1998, despite police and expert reports showing that the explosion was caused by a gas leak.[4] Tried and acquitted of all charges on four occasions (in 2006, 2008, 2011, 2014), her most recent acquittal was amended on June 21, 2022 by the Supreme Court of Turkey which reversed the court decision and sentenced her to life in prison before a retrial.[5] The retrial was set for March 31, 2023 then pushed back to September 29, 2023, then to June 28, 2024.[6]

She became an "ambassador" for Prison Insider, an information platform on conditions of detention around the world, in 2024.

Education

Selek attended the high school Lycée Notre Dame de Sion Istanbul and completed her undergraduate and graduate studies in the sociology department at Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University.[7] In 2014 she obtained a doctorate in political science from the University of Strasbourg.

Arrest, imprisonment, and release, 1998–2000

Pınar Selek was arrested on July 11, 1998, in connection to an explosion that had occurred two days prior at the Spice Bazaar, Istanbul, which had killed seven people and wounded approximately 100 others.[8] The arrest is widely considered to have been motivated by her contact with Kurds as part of her academic research.[9] [10] Her work was confiscated, and she refused to name the individuals she had interviewed during the course of her research.[11] Another suspect, Abdülmecit Öztürk, was arrested two weeks after Selek, and confessed to police that the two had carried out the bombing together, although he later recanted his statement and claimed that he had been tortured in police custody.[12] [13] Öztürk was later acquitted of all charges, and his statement against Selek was ruled as inadmissible.[14] [15]

After spending two and a half years in prison, during which time she was subject to torture and ill-treatment,[16] Selek was released on December 22, 2000, when a team of experts, including faculty from Istanbul University's Analytic Chemistry Department and Cerrahpaşa Medical Faculty's Forensic Department,[17] issued reports concluding that the explosion had been caused by the accidental ignition of a gas cylinder.[18] [19] Three expert witnesses assigned by the court also testified that the explosion was caused by a gas leak.[20]

Acquittals, retrial, and sentencing, 2006–present

The Istanbul High Criminal Court No. 12 acquitted Selek of wrongdoing on four occasions (in 2006, 2008, 2011, 2014), citing a lack of any evidence linking her to the blast.[21] Nonetheless, the court decided on November 22, 2012 to amend its own prior acquittal decisions and reopen her trial, a move which her defense lawyers labeled as "unprecedented in Turkish legal history."[22]

On January 24, 2013, after just over an hour of deliberation, the court sentenced her to life in prison for the 1998 spice bazaar bombing.[23] The decision was reached by majority of two to one, with the head judge in the case issuing a dissenting opinion.[24] While Selek was tried in absentia, more than 30 nongovernmental organizations and political party representatives from France, Germany, Italy, and Austria attended the hearings, and nearly 150 people protested during the trial.[25] Four observers from the University of Strasbourg, including the vice rector, also attended the trial.[26]

After a fourth acquittal on December 19, 2014, the Supreme Court of Turkey reversed the acquittal on June 21, 2022, immediately sentencing Pinar Selek to life in prison. The retrial was set for March 31, 2023, and was attended by a delegation of a hundred lawyers, politicians, academics and representatives of non-governmental organizations, from France, Switzerland, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Norway and Turkey. [27] After the hearing - in which lawyers contested the illegal procedure of the Supreme Court cancelling an acquittal and emitting a new sentence without new evidence or trial - a new trial date was set for September 29, 2023. [28]

Support from academic institutions and international organizations

Numerous international organizations have voiced solidarity with Selek, including Amnesty International,[29] the Human Rights League and the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) [30] .The Commissioner for Human Rights of the European Council[31] and the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) have called on Turkish authorities to end the 14-year "judicial harassment" of Selek, as this seems " to merely aim at sanctioning her for her legitimate exercise of the freedom of opinion and expression."[32] Human Rights Watch has called her prosecution a "perversion of the criminal justice system and abuse of due process," and insisted that the "baseless charges should be dropped once and for all."[33] PEN International has expressed outrage and concern and argued that the judicial campaign against Selek seeks to penalize her for her "long standing support for and work on minority groups in Turkey."[34] The Transnational Work Group on Academic Liberty and Freedom of Research in Turkey has also issued a statement of solidarity.[35] Turkish journalist Cengiz Çandar called the January 2013 ruling a "travesty" and a "disgraceful judgment."[36]

Multiple academic organizations have also issued statements of support. The Middle East Studies Association of North America (MESA) has expressed its support for Selek and dismay at the prolonged denial of justice she has been subject to.[37] In a letter addressed to Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, MESA's Committee on Academic Freedom asserted that: "all of the circumstances attendant to her case suggest that Selek has been on trial for the last fourteen years for her research on the PKK in violation of her right to academic freedom."[38] The French Sociological Association has issued statements of support spanning a decade,[39] [40] while other supporting scientific organizations include the French Association des sociologues enseignants du supérieur (ASES),[41] the French Political Science Association,[42] or the Committee of Concerned Scientists, who have condemned the "lack of due process and free expression for academics".[43]

Alain Beretz, president of the University of Strasbourg, has espoused the university's solidarity with Selek, calling her life imprisonment conviction "unjust and revolting."[44] [45] Université Côte d'Azur has publicly stated its "unwavering support" for Selek and the values and academic freedoms her case represents.[46] A collective of academics from France have called her sentencing an attack on the independence of social sciences.[47]

International public figures such as Angela Davis have publicly supported Pinar Selek.[48]

At press conferences following each verdict, Selek has vowed to continue her fight for justice.[49] [50]

Publications

In 1996 she translated Ya Basta into Turkish. It is a collection of letters from the leader of the Zapatistas Subcomandante Marcos. In 2001 Maskeler Süvariler Gacılar was published which focused on the lives of the trans community. She has also published five books and novels in French between 2012 and 2022,[51] as well as two children's books. Recent publications include Le chaudron militaire turc (2023), which analyzes the co-production of masculinity and nationalism through obligatory military service and institutionalised relations to violence.

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Kerem Öktem (September 15, 2008), "Another Struggle: Sexual Identity Politics in Unsettled Turkey" . Middle East Research and Information Project. Retrieved January 26, 2013.
  2. http://amargigroupistanbul.wordpress.com/about-amargi/pinar-selek/ Amargi Istanbul – Pınar Selek
  3. Web site: Valérie Erlich, Fanny Jedlicki, Pascale Laborier, Sylvie Monchatre, Pascale Laborier . March 29, 2023 . Debate: The case of Pinar Selek is a stark reminder of the dangers faced by academics in Turkey and around the world . July 19, 2023 . The Conversation.
  4. Kaya Genc (February 1, 2013), "Why was this Turkish sociologist given a life sentence?" . UNCUT . Retrieved February 2, 2013.
  5. Web site: SCF . 2023-03-24 . Author, sociologist Selek says won’t return to Turkey to stand trial: report . 2023-07-17 . Stockholm Center for Freedom . en-US.
  6. Web site: Valérie Erlich, Fanny Jedlicki, Pascale Laborier, Sylvie Monchatre, Pascale Laborier . 2023-03-29 . Debate: The case of Pinar Selek is a stark reminder of the dangers faced by academics in Turkey and around the world . 2023-07-17 . The Conversation . en.
  7. Web site: Who's who in Politics in Turkey . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20191115005654/https://tr.boell.org/sites/default/files/ays-tarihvakfi-18x24-boll-r7-eng.pdf . 15 November 2019 . 27 November 2022 . Heinrich Böll Stiftung . 215–216.
  8. Baran Mavzer (January 27, 2013), "Pınar Selek Issued a Life Sentence after 15 Year Trial". Global Voices. Retrieved January 27, 2013.
  9. Editorial . Rights for all . Nature . 470 . 7335 . 436 . 2011 . 10.1038/470436a . 21350442 . 2011Natur.470..436. . free .
  10. Maureen Freely . Crossing the Line . Index on Censorship . 41 . 3 . 56–65 . 2012 . 10.1177/0306422012456477. 148073684 .
  11. News: Sociologist Selek handed life in prison for alleged bombing . Erdem Güneş . Hürriyet Daily News . January 24, 2013 . January 27, 2013.
  12. Baran Mavzer (January 27, 2013), "Pınar Selek Issued a Life Sentence after 15 Year Trial". Global Voices. Retrieved January 27, 2013.
  13. http://www.fidh.org/-english- International Federation for Human Rights
  14. News: Selek Case a Travesty For Turkish Judiciary . Cengiz Çandar . . January 28, 2013 . January 28, 2013.
  15. http://www.hwr.org Human Rights Watch
  16. http://www.fidh.org/-english- International Federation for Human Rights
  17. http://www.nationalturk.com/en/sociologist-pinar-selek-sentenced-lifetime-prison-for-bombing-claims-turkey-news-32813 "Sociologist Pinar Selek sentenced lifetime prison for bombing claims"
  18. http://www.pen-international.org/ PEN International
  19. http://www.focus-fen.net/?id=n297740 "Turkish sociologist sentenced to life for 'terrorism'"
  20. News: Sociologist Selek handed life in prison for alleged bombing . Erdem Güneş . Hürriyet Daily News . January 24, 2013 . January 27, 2013.
  21. http://www.omct.org/ World Organisation Against Torture
  22. http://www.fidh.org/-english- International Federation for Human Rights
  23. http://www.focus-fen.net/?id=n297740 "Turkish sociologist sentenced to life for 'terrorism'"
  24. Çiçek Tahaoğlu (January 24, 2013), "Pinar Selek Receives Life Sentence". Bianet. Retrieved January 25, 2013.
  25. http://www.nationalturk.com/en/sociologist-pinar-selek-sentenced-lifetime-prison-for-bombing-claims-turkey-news-32813 "Sociologist Pinar Selek sentenced lifetime prison for bombing claims"
  26. Erdem Güneş (January 24, 2013), "Pınar Selek back on trial again in absentia". Istanbul. Hurriyet Daily News. Retrieved January 25, 2013.
  27. News: 2022-07-12 . « En condamnant Pinar Selek, c’est à l’indépendance de la recherche en sciences sociales que s’attaque le gouvernement turc » . fr . Le Monde.fr . 2023-07-17.
  28. Web site: AFP . 2023-03-31 . Turkish exile faces fifth trial over deadly 1998 blast . 2023-07-19 . RFI . en.
  29. http://humanrightsturkey.org/ Amnesty International
  30. Web site: October 2, 2023 . Pinar Selek, l’acharnement judiciaire de l’Etat turc se poursuit . April 9, 2024.
  31. Web site: Les autorités turques doivent protéger les libertés démocratiques - Commissaire aux droits de l'homme - www.coe.int . 2023-07-17 . Commissaire aux droits de l'homme . fr-FR.
  32. http://www.fidh.org/-english- International Federation for Human Rights
  33. https://www.hrw.org/ Human Rights Watch
  34. http://www.pen-international.org/ PEN International
  35. http://gitamerica.blogspot.com/ GIT-North America
  36. News: Selek Case a Travesty For Turkish Judiciary . Cengiz Çandar . . January 28, 2013 . January 28, 2013.
  37. Peter Sluglett, Middle East Studies Association Committee on Academic Freedom (December 25, 2012), "Letter Concerning Prolonged Denial of Justice for Pinar Selek". Retrieved January 25, 2013.
  38. http://www.mesa.arizona.edu/ Middle East Studies Association
  39. Web site: L'AFS exprime son soutien à Pinar Selek Association Française de Sociologie . www.afs-socio.fr . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140502002414/http://www.afs-socio.fr/node/276 . 2014-05-02.
  40. Web site: AFS Soutien à Pinar Selek . 2023-07-17 . fr-FR.
  41. Web site: September 10, 2023 . L'Ases continue plus que jamais à soutenir Pinar Selek .
  42. Web site: 72 heures de Solidarité avec Pinar Selek du 29 au 31 mars 2023 Association Française de Science Politique . 2023-07-17 . fr-FR.
  43. http://concernedscientists.org/ Committee of Concerned Scientists
  44. Alain Beretz (January 24, 2013), "Un jugement injuste et révoltant : Pinar Selek doit vivre en chercheuse libre!". (in French). University of Strasbourg. Retrieved January 25, 2013.
  45. http://www.pinarselek.com/public/Default.aspx Pinar Selek website
  46. Web site: Sanfilippo . Delphine . Université Côte d'Azur reaffirms its support for Professor Pinar Selek . 2023-07-17 . Newsroom . en.
  47. News: 2022-07-12 . « En condamnant Pinar Selek, c’est à l’indépendance de la recherche en sciences sociales que s’attaque le gouvernement turc » . fr . Le Monde.fr . 2023-07-17.
  48. Web site: April 2, 2024 . Angela Davis soutient Pinar Selek . April 9, 2024.
  49. Web site: Selek . Pinar . 2023-03-31 . Turquie : « Ce procès dure depuis 25 ans, c’est la moitié de ma vie », Pinar Selek – Pinar Selek . 2023-07-17 . fr-FR.
  50. http://www.pinarselek.com/public/default.aspx Pinar Selek website
  51. Web site: Selek . Pinar . 2022-06-22 . Livres – Pinar Selek . 2023-07-17 . fr-FR.