Free Mehmet Tarhan! Fri, Dec 9: International Day of Action (tags)
Mehmet Tarhan, 27, is a gay Kurdish man who is a “total” conscientious objector – against all wars and any alternative to forced military service. He was sentenced to four years by a Turkish military court for “refusing orders” and faces re-trial on Dec 15. People are taking action in his support in 22 cities and 13 countries on Fri, Dec 9. In LA, join a picket called by the Global Women's Strike/LA outside the Turkish consulate, 6300 Wilshire Blvd. (at Crescent Heights), from 11am to noon.
Dec 9th Protest for Mehmet Tarhan (tags)
Picket for the Release of Political Prisoner: Mehmet Tarhan Turkish consulate 6300 Wilshire Blvd. 11 am Friday, December 9
Free Mehmet Tarhan! Gay conscientious objector jailed in Turkey (tags)
December 9, 2005, is an International Day of Action to support Mehmet Tarhan, gay conscientious objector jailed in Turkey. Turkey does not recognise conscientious objection and provides no alternative to military service.
29 day of hunger strike for Turkish conscientious objector in military jail (tags)
Turkish gay conscientious objector Mehmet Tarhan, now on 29th day of hunger strike in military prison, after being sentenced to four years for refusing to serve
URGENT Refusenik Mehmet Tarhan - Stop mistreatment and detention (tags)
We are urging support for Mehmet Tarhan, a conscientious objector who is a gay man, detained since 8 April in the military prison of Sivas, Turkey. We understand that he has been repeatedly and brutally attacked by other prisoners after prison staff told them that he was "a terrorist". His trial, which began on 26 May, has been postponed to 9 June. When he appeared in court on the 26th, Mr Tarhan had bruises all over his body and could not walk well. He is now on hunger strike against the abuse and against the refusal of the prison authorities to ensure his safety.