Five trade unionists belonging to PSI [PSI: Public Services International, the global union federation for public sector workers: [http://www.world-psi.org/]] – affiliates in Turkey are currently in prison on trumped up accusations of “belonging to illegal or terrorist organisations” or making propaganda on behalf of such organisations. The prison conditions are harsh and concern is growing over the mental and physical health of the imprisoned unionists. PSI contends that these arrests are part of a deliberate policy by the Turkish authorities to misuse the courts in order to harass and intimidate trade unionists, particularly those belonging to the largely Kurdish confederation, KESK.
During the International Labour Conference in June, Turkey was questioned about the spate of arrests of trade unionists. The cases of Meryem Özsögut and Seher Tümer from SES were specifically mentioned, as well as those of Metin Findik and Ferit and Bestas Epözdemir of PSI affiliate Tüm Bel Sen.
A cloak of secrecy surrounds each case, on orders of the public prosecutor. This means that lawyers are denied access to the detainees and are unable to view their case files.
You can help by sending a letter of protest to the Turkish government.
To do so, go to:
http://www.labourstart.org/cgi-bin/solidarityforever/show_campaign.cgi?c=733