Latest News

Roma Associations Made A Press Statement 09/02/2011

Roma associations gathering with the invitation of İstanbul Roma Flower Sellers Association protested Engin Ardıç, who is on trial for insulting Gypsies via press, and made a press statement about the issue. The president of İstanbul Roma Flower Sellers Association Metin Salih Şentürk read his speech text representing all of Roma associations who protest Engin Ardıç.

The trial seen in Sultanahmet Courthouse is postponed to 2011, April. The article of Engin Ardıç published on 2010, July 22th got huge reaction from sensitive publicity and Gypsy community. The prosecutor asked for a prison sentence from 6 months to 1 year claiming Engin Ardıç to insult Gypsies via press in public.

Here is the full text of press statement

"We made a denunciation against Engin Ardıç. Because he insulted us with his racist article named "Yemezler" published on Sabah newspaper on 2010, July 22th.

Sultanahmet Courthouse accepted our denunciation. The trial seen first time today is our honor.

Engin Ardıç said that "It is useless trying to civilize Roma" in his article.

And now, we said that we are determined to civilize people like Engin Ardıç, who have prejudices targeting Roma and insult our people because of our ethnic identity, using legal ways.

We explained our demand to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. We repeat here again. We have also a few words to say about the work of new constitution.

The new constitution have to civilize everybody discriminating people because of their ethnic identity, religion or gender. We want to live with our honor. We want the new constitution to show being insulted is not a destiny.

We hope Engin Ardıç to learn insulting poor people making a living the hard way is shameful.

...

Mr Ardıç. 3 million Roma people are waiting for an apology from you.

Metin Salih Şentürk

İstanbul Roma Flower Sellers Association"

Older News About The Issue

Engin Ardıç's Trial Will Happen In February, 8th 01/02/2011