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TURKEY: Gay CO arrested

  • Andreas Speck


    Mehmet Tarhan, a gay activist, anarchist, and declared conscientious objector, was arrested on 8 April and taken to "his" military unit in Tokat in eastern Turkey by force.

    Tarhan declared his objection to military service on 27 October 2001, and has never hidden.
        On 20 April 2005 he was transferred to a military hospital after the prosecutor ordered an "examination of his homosexuality" - something which the Turkish military considers an illness, and "rotten". A positive examination would enable the military to discharge him. His first trial is scheduled for 28 April in Sivas.
        As for "Mehmet loves Barisi?": Mehmet is used as a synonym for conscripts, and Bari? It means peace, but is also a common male name in Turkey.
    War Resisters' International recently published new documentation on conscientious objection in Turkey. Available at     http://wri-irg.org/ news/2005/ turkey05-en.htm
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