20 April 2005
TURKISH PUBLISHER HONOURED FOR COURAGE
Abdullah Keskin, a publisher who has been legally persecuted in Turkey for publishing books in Kurdish, has won the 2005 Jeri Laber International Freedom to Publish Award. The annual prize honours book publishers outside the United States who show courage in the face of political persecution and restrictions on freedom of expression.
Keskin is the co-founder of Avesta, the first company in Turkey to publish books in Kurdish, a language that was banned until recently. Since its launch in 1996, Avesta has published more than 200 books in Kurdish, Turkish and French.
More than 10 of Avesta's books have been banned under Turkey's Anti-Terrorist Law, including a translation of former "Washington Post" reporter Jonathan Randal's book "After such Knowledge, What Forgiveness: My Encounters with Kurdistan". Keskin has also been charged with disseminating "separatist propaganda."
Although the Turkish government has relaxed restrictions on freedom of expression in its bid to enter the European Union, writings on Kurdish issues are still considered "dangerous" information.
Keskin will be honoured with the award at PEN American Center's annual Gala dinner in New York City on 20 April 2005.
The Jeri Laber International Freedom to Publish Award is administered by the Association of American Publishers' International Freedom to Publish Committee.
For more information, visit:
- Jeri Laber Award: http://www.pen.org/page.php/prmID/812
- AAP International Freedom to Publish Committee: http://www.iftpc.org/iftpc/index.html
- Writings by Jeri Laber: http://www.nybooks.com/authors/640
RSS