Journalist summarily deported after residing in TRNC since 1991

malsancak


Joined: 23/08/2009
Posts: 2874

Message Posted:
12/01/2011 18:11

"Reporters Without Borders deplores journalist Necmettin Çapa’s summary expulsion yesterday by the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (a de facto state recognized only by Turkey). A Turkish citizen of Kurdish origin who has lived in Northern Cyprus since 1991, Çapa was deported to Turkey together with his entire family."

More at http://www.northcyprusfreepress.com/2011/01/12/journalist-summarily-deported-after-residing-in-northern-cyprus-since-1991/

Denny


Joined: 09/12/2010
Posts: 261

Message Posted:
12/01/2011 19:40

Of course his expulsion has everything to do with a one-month lapsed work permit and nothing whatsoever to do with his being a Kurd who dared to criticise the Turkish regime.

dalartokat


Joined: 14/04/2008
Posts: 734

Message Posted:
12/01/2011 21:02

PtePike/Denny the Kurds have never been welcomed in NC, obviously they must have been waiting for the day to have a reasoned excuse.

pollymarples


Joined: 08/08/2010
Posts: 1778

Message Posted:
13/01/2011 08:20

My apologies for starting another post - eyes not open this a.m. Judging from the time it has been on and so few messages, seems not many care.

Troodo


Joined: 12/06/2008
Posts: 1002

Message Posted:
13/01/2011 09:43

A snake in our mitts, the GC’s loves Africa - great for their propaganda.

pollymarples


Joined: 08/08/2010
Posts: 1778

Message Posted:
13/01/2011 10:29

Troodo, First and foremost the Journalist is a human being with a family. The fact that he is Kurdish should not be an issue. Has he ever hurt you personally. You cannot hate someone on the basis of race. Is Pauline too a snake in your midst because she points out all the injustices being meted out to the elderly frail ex pats here. Freedom of speech is a basic Human Right, violence is an anathema to all civilised people, was this man advocating violence through his writing? If he was I never saw it. Yes his work permit may have expired, why wasn't he just fined like everyone else?



On most subjects I agree with you Troodo, ON THIS IT LOOKS AS IF WE MUST AGREE TO DISAGREE.

Troodo


Joined: 12/06/2008
Posts: 1002

Message Posted:
13/01/2011 10:58

Thanks Polly, what a nice way to receive a telling off. However, the problem with Afrca and the proprietor has escalated over the years to a personal attack on the TRNC rather than political. Freedom of speech is all very good, but to employ journalists with their own, often personal, agenda, damages the state and harms the TC families trying to survie continued persecution from a hostile neighbour.

malsancak


Joined: 23/08/2009
Posts: 2874

Message Posted:
13/01/2011 11:34

Troodo, what you say would sound more credible if that was stated by the government as the reason for his being deported. There is no shame in the TRNC government taking that stance if what was being written was lies. However, the reason given was that his work permit had lapsed. Seems worrying that, for example, if even after 20 years living here British ex-pats and their families could be deported back to the UK because a work-permit expired.

pollymarples


Joined: 08/08/2010
Posts: 1778

Message Posted:
13/01/2011 14:12

Freedom of the Press is everything - in a civilised country words cannot hurt you physicallly. If you dont like it, don't read it. It is a slippery slope when this sort of thing is excused. If the words contravene the law, then take legal remedies, that is the civilised way.

Denny


Joined: 09/12/2010
Posts: 261

Message Posted:
13/01/2011 20:29

dalartokat,

A large proportion of Turkish army soldiers serving in Cyprus as well as discharged squaddies working in hotel and catering etc here are Kurds. I met the family of a Kurdish soldier who was critically wounded (his colleague was killed) in a CFL shooting incident in the 90s. None talked about being treated as an enemy. Not all Kurds are politically active (although many are, or have sympathies).

dalartokat


Joined: 14/04/2008
Posts: 734

Message Posted:
13/01/2011 21:40

Pte Pike/Denny, I understand what you are saying and knew/know full well that Kurds reside in Northern Cyprus and work in some Hotels, but I also can tell you that they are not liked by some TC. I also can tell you that when I was a Tour Rep working alongside a TC colleague she made it very plain of her dislike of the Kurdish and would point them out making comment how she would report them to her "Uncle who worked in Lefkosia". I also had the displeasure of speaking to a woman on the phone on behalf of a mainland turk regarding a job she was advertising and she asked "was he from Hatay" where also Kurds reside alongside those of Arabic origin who are also disliked..



As I said, if there were to be any excuse it would be used and in this case it seems to have been. I am not saying that all Kurds are politically active just that they are not welcome and as you have said "A large proportion of Turkish army soldiers serving in Cyprus are Kurds" I repeat the word "serving".