The ruling particularly affects five foreign activists who are
notallowed to return to their home countries for an indefinite
time.Although no charges have yet been brought, this decision
impacts onboth their professional and personal lives.
"The activists took non-violent action to expose a major cause
ofclimate change that threatens to affect us all. The response from
theTurkish authorities has been to restrict their freedom of
movementbefore a charge has even been brought. The decision by the
court tokeep these restrictions in place is a significant blow to
Turkey'sclaim to be a progressive and fair society," said Paul
Horsman ofGreenpeace International.
As a result of the ruling, international pressure is expected to
focuson Turkish embassies and the Turkish Government itself, making
the casethat these restrictions are wholly unnecessary and are
undermining thereputation of Turkey as an open and progressive part
of theinternational community.
Letters from Greenpeace offices worldwide have already been sent
totheir respective Turkish embassies demanding the immediate
removal ofthese bail conditions, with supporters from across the
Greenpeace worldalso expected to voice their protest.
Greenpeace lawyers submitted the application yesterday arguing
that:
- The bail conditions have no precedent in cases of
environmental protest
- The conditions severely affect the lives of those in
question
- In view of the fact that no volunteer involved in a Greenpeace
actionhas ever failed to attend a court date, there is no evidence
toindicate that such restrictions are necessary
- The conditions are disproportionate compared to the actions of
those arrested
Greenpeace is an independent, campaigning organisation, which
usesnon-violent, creative confrontation to expose global
environmentalproblems, and to force solutions essential to a green
and peacefulfuture.
Other contacts: Paul Horsman, Greenpeace International spokesperson, + 90538 660 1843 Cecilia Goin, Greenpeace International media officer, + 31 6 212 96 908
Exp. contact date: 2005-09-18 00:00:00