Norwegian PEN has, for years, been among the few organizations who have involved themselves strongly in the fight for free expression in Turkey.  In 2005 representatives from Norwegian PEN observed a total of nine cases in Istanbul and Ankara.

During the two first weeks of February, representatives from Norwegian PEN and the Norwegian Bar Association, will monitor a dozen trials against Turkish writers and publishers in Istanbul.

Norwegian PEN has managed to achieve a certain position in the Turksih media, due to our frequent presence at trials against writers and publishers in Turkey.  After the trial against Orhan Pamuk in December last year, Turkish television broadcast interviews with our board member Eugene Schoulgin every hour for 24 hours.

In order to cover several parallel trials, Norwegian PEN will send a relatively large delegation to Turkey for the duration of these trials.  Members of the delegation will monitor the trials and follow up on the contact with Turksih and international media in close cooperation with our partners, the Turkish organization "Antenna" and the International Publishers Association (IPA).

According to Associated Press, Turkish minister of foreign affairs, Abdullah Gül, said last month that Turkish authorities might have to revise the laws regulating free expression, depending on the outcome of the Pamuk trial and similar cases.  This statement makes it extremely important to demonstrate a strong, international presence at these trials, now that the whole legal framework for free expression may be revised.

Oslo, 31. January 2006