Tag: petition

  • Global Turkish reaction to a racist remark on live TV by a Belgian politician

    Global Turkish reaction to a racist remark on live TV by a Belgian politician

    Global Turkish reaction to a racist remark on live TV  by a Belgian politician:

    “Flanders’   Slanders”:  How Would Voltaire React To them?

    A leading lawmaker in Flanders deliberately insulted Turks and Turkey during a live TV program with unsolicited racist remarks.   President of the Flemish parliament in Belgium, Jan Peter Peumans  (59,)  caused a global scandal with his arrogant and bigoted comments during a quiz show, ”De Pappenheimers,”  by VRT (Flemish Public Radio and Television Broadcasting Federated) on Wednesday, December 1, 2010.   (watch video:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQFqcaqiJi0 )

    peumans

    The question the organizers of the quiz show haplessly considered amusing and proper for a competition watched by general public, including children, was related to a comment by the famous French philosopher, Voltaire:  “Who did Voltaire think was the most disgusting nation?”  The potential answers offered were  a) Flemish,   b) Jews, and   c) Turks.   Peumans replied: “ Turks.”

    After a spontaneous laughter,  he was reminded that the correct answer was “b) Jews”.   Peumans said he knew the right answer but was scared to say it because of potential Jewish reaction.  He said he had criticized the Jewish liberal policies once and had problems with strong Jewish protests.  Laughter in the studio grew.  When asked tongue-in-cheek  “…And speaking ill about Turks is not a problem?”  Peumans replied non chalantly with a negative.  More laughter in the studio. All of this unfortunate episode took only a few minutes.  But its reverberations sure promise to take a lot more than that.

    Film director Jan Eelen, another contestant, told Peumans later that the Turkish Embassy had been informed of the incident by Güler Turan — a Flemish parliament member of Turkish heritage.  Turkish Ambassador Murat Ersavcı  did , indeed, call Peumans to convey Turkey’s disappointment by the racist question and comment.  The remarks also drew strong reactions from Turks  in and out of Belgium.

    After the initial shock and disappointment over this unfortunate racism scandal on air were over, a more reasoned approach triggered the following thoughts:

    First, it is, indeed, a sad day in Belgium if a major entertainment industry executive there thinks racist questions are fun for the entire family.  A sensitization course in Belgium on issues of diversity and tolerance seems appropriate and urgent.   Otherwise, I am afraid, we might be faced with “live roasting” of a Turk, literally, for more family fun on Belgian TV.

    Second, it must be especially ironic for such a bigoted question to surface in a country which suffered terribly under the persecution by the German Nazis (perhaps Peumans is too young to remember or too ignorant to know.)  Such a racist question should never have been asked or responded to  in the first place.  How would the audience, who cheered on so enthusiastically for the racist question and the equally racist response, respond if the next question in the live quiz show was about the feelings the German Nazis harbored:  A) cowards     B)cheap skates    C) both?   Would they consider that also to be “family fun?”

    Third, if a Belgian politician publicly declares that he deliberately provides false answers for political expediency, and still cheered on by many in Belgium, what does that tell one about the attitudes and behaviors in Belgium, administrative capital of the European Union?  Are prejudice, public humiliation, intimidation, discrimination, and racism accepted norms of thought and/or conduct in Europe?

    Fourth, Voltaire was a campaigner against tyranny and bigotry, which is probably why he could not keep out of trouble.  Voltaire, the Renaissance man of the Enlightenment, was no pussycat , either.  He always struck back with bitter, mocking, poignant sarcasm whenever he was attacked.  Voltaire often scrutinized the political and philosophical controversies of the 18th century and fought tirelessly for the oppressed.

    Mr. Peumans—and others who support or defend him–urgently need to learn the tragic plight of Jean Calas, a Protestant merchant in Toulouse, France,  which illustrates the principles of and passion in Voltaire.

    Calas had a son who wanted to study law but he was denied access because he was not a Catholic. The son got very depressed and killed himself.  Suicide was  a grave sin then. His family decided to conceal the suicide as they did not want to see the son’s body dragged in the streets and fed to dogs as was the common practice to punish postmortem  those committing suicide.  A rumor started that Jean Calas murdered his son because the son had wanted to convert to Catholicism. The old man was convicted of murder on the basis of the flimsiest hearsay evidence by lynch mobs.  Rejecting confession even after terrible torture, Calas was tied to a wooden cross, had his arms and legs were broken.  Then Calas was strangled  by the executioner and burned at the stake. The state confiscated Calas’ property, leaving his widow homeless, penniless, and childless,  as the latter were forced into Catholic institutions.

    Voltaire heard about this and set out to clear Calas. He wrote many letters to powerful people throughout Europe, hired a lawyer, and raised money for the family, eventually securing a unanimous vote in the parliament of Paris declaring Calas innocent.  Reversal of his conviction meant that his estate was restored to his family and the children were returned to their mother.   Now, that was Voltaire!

    There are three reason why this story is important:

    1)  What ultra-right leaning Belgian politician and his supporters in Belgium (and other neo-Nazis in Europe) are doing to Turks today is not much different than what the Catholic Church in France did to Protestant merchant Jean Calas of Toulouse in 1762.

    2)  If Voltaire was alive today, he would probably fight the racist Belgian politician and his supporters for the same reasons why Voltaire fought for Jean Calas of Toulouse in 1760s.

    3) Last but not least, Voltaire did comment on Turks and here is what he said:

    The great Turk is governing in peace twenty nations from different religions. Turks have taught the Christians how to be moderate in peace and gentle in victory.”

    It is never too late to learn a few new facts and some proper manners, Mr. Peumans.

    And that goes for the rest of neo-Nazis in Belgium, Holland, France, Austria,  and Germany where this scourge of humanity reared its ugly head again scoring a few victories in recent elections on  a blatantly racist anti-Turkish platform, complete with a promise to keep Turkey out of EU.

    Will neo-Nazis be allowed win while the rest of decent people look on silently?

    Again?

    [[petition-4]]

  • Belgium: An e-mail campaign against The Anti_Turk Parliamenter

    Belgium: An e-mail campaign against The Anti_Turk Parliamenter

    How Voltaire Would React To “Flanders’   Slanders”

    A leading lawmaker in Flanders deliberately insults Turks and Turkey during a live TV program with unsolicited racist remarks.

    President of the Flemish parliament in Belgium, Jan Peter Peumans  (59,)  causes a scandal with his arrogant and bigoted comments during a quiz show, ”De Pappenheimers,”  by VRT (Flemish Public Radio and Television Broadcasting Federated) on Wednesday, December 1, 2010.   (watch video:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQFqcaqiJi0 )

    jan peter peumans2The question the organizers of the quiz show haplessly considered amusing and proper for a competition watched by general public, including children, was a related to  a comment by the famous French philosopher:  “Who did Voltaire think was the most disgusting nation?”  The potential answers offered were Flemish, Jews and Turks.  Peumans replied: “ Turks.”

    After a loud laughter, he was reminded that the correct answer was “the Jews”.  Peumans said he knew the right answer but was scared to say it because of possibly very strong Jewish reaction.  Laughter in the audience grew.  When asked “Wouldn’t the Turks do react equally strongly?”  Peumans replied with a negative.

    Film director Jan Eelen, another contestant, told Peumans later that the Turkish Embassy had been informed of the incident by Güler Turan — a Flemish parliament member of Turkish heritage.  Turkish Ambassador Murat Ersavcı  called Peumans to convey Turkey’s disappointment by the racist question and comment.  The remarks also drew strong reactions from Turks  in and out of Belgium.

    All of this unfortunate episode took only a few minutes.  But its reverberations promise to take more than that… much more!

    First, it is, indeed, a sad day in Belgium if a major entertainment industry executive there thinks racist questions are fun for the entire family.  A sensitization course in Belgium on issues of diversity and tolerance seems appropriate and even urgent.

    Second, it must be especially ironic for such a bigoted question to surface in a country which suffered terribly under the racist persecution the Nazis (perhaps Peumans is too young to remember or too ignorant to know.)  Such a question should never have been asked in the first place.  How would the audience who cheered on the racist questions and response if the next question in the live quiz show was about the feelings of the German Nazis about Belgians and if the potential answers offered were  A) cowards     B)cheap skates    C) both?   Would they consider that to be “family fun?”

    Third, if a Belgian politician publicly declares that he deliberately provides false answers for political correctness or expediency, and cheered on by millions in and around Belgium, and arguably around Europe, what does that tell one about the state of affairs and mind in Europe?  Are prejudice, humiliation, intimidation, discrimination, and racism accepted norms of thought and/or conduct in Belgium and/or Europe?

    Fourth, Voltaire was a crusader against tyranny and bigotry, which is probably why he could not keep out of trouble.  Almost every person of importance was Voltaire’s enemy at some period of his life.  Voltaire, the Renaissance man of the Enlightenment, was no pussycat , either, as he struck back with bitter, mocking, poignant sarcasm whenever he was attacked.

    Voltaire often scrutinized the political and philosophical controversies of the 18th century and campaigned tirelessly on behalf of the oppressed.

    You, Mr. Peumans, badly need to learn the tragic plight of Jean Calas, a Protestant in Toulouse, which illustrates the passion in Voltaire.  Calas had a son who wanted to study law but he was denied access because he was not a Catholic. The son got very depressed and killed himself, a fatal sin then. His family decided to conceal the suicide as they did not want to see his body dragged in the streets and fed to dogs as was the common practice for those who took their own lives.  A rumor started that Jean Calas had murdered his son because he wanted to convert to Catholicism. The old man was convicted of murder on the basis of the flimsiest hearsay evidence by lynch mobs. Rejecting confession even after terrible torture, Calas was tied to a wooden cross, had his arms and legs broken.  Then he was strangled  by the executioner and burned at the stake. The state confiscated his property, leaving his widow homeless, penniless, and childless,  as the latter were forced into Catholic institutions.

    Voltaire heard about this and set out to clear Calas. He wrote many letters to powerful people throughout Europe, hired a lawyer, and raised money for the family. eventually securing a unanimous vote in the parliament of Paris declaring Calas innocent.  Calas himself was dead but the reversal of his conviction meant that his estate was returned to his family and the children returned to their mother.   That was Voltaire!

    I told you this story for two reasons:

    1)  You and your supporters are doing to Turks today what the Catholic Church did to Protestant merchant Jean Calas of Toulouse in 1762.

    2)  If Voltaire was alive today, he would fight you and your kind for the same reasons he fought for Jean Calas of Toulouse

    Last but not least, here is what Voltaire really said about the Turks:

    The great Turk is governing in peace twenty nations from different religions. Turks have taught the Christians how to be moderate in peace and gentle in victory.”

    It is never too late to learn new facts and proper manners.

    Sincerely,

    (Name, full street address, and phone)

    =========================================================

    attention to our members


    DIKKAT – DIKKAT

    jan.peumans@vlaamsparlement.be

    jan.peumans@riemst.be

    mail adreslerine simdilik ingilizce veya almanca veya yukardaki mesaji kopyaliyarak protesto mesajlarinizi parlemenetere gonderebilirsiniz.

    2010/12/1 Birol Kilic <forum@turkischegemeinde.at>

    Federe yapılı Belçika’da Flamanca yayın
    yapan devlet radyo ve televizyonu VRT’nin birinci kanalında “De Pappenheimers” adlı bilgi yarışmasına katılan, bağımsızlık yanlısı Yeni Flaman İttifakı (N-VA)
    partisinin Başkan Yardımcısı ve Flaman Parlamentosu Başkanı Jan Peter Peumans (59), doğru cevabı bildiği halde “Yahudilere bir şey söyleyecek cesareti olmadığı
    için” Türklere hakareti tercih etti.

    Yarışmada ünlü Fransız düşünür Voltaire’in, “Dünya yüzündeki en iğrenç halk” olarak hangi milleti tanımladığı sorusunda bildiğini itiraf ettiği doğru
    şık “Yahudiler” yerine “Türkler” şıkkını tercih eden Peumans’la sunucu Tom Lenaerts ve diğer yarışmacı olan Yönetmen Jan Eelen arasında şu diyalog yaşandı:

    Lenaerts: “Türkler cevabını verdiniz ama doğrusu Yahudiler idi. Bunu gerçekten biliyor muydunuz?”

    Peumans: “Gerçekten biliyordum ama Yahudiler hakkında yeni birşey söyleyecek cesaretim yok. Çok hassas insanlar. Bir zamanlar onların sözde
    liberalizmi hakkında bir şeyler söyledim ama çok çektim. Bu nedenle..” Eelen: “Fakat Türkler hakkında söylemek meğer sorun değilmiş”

    -BÜYÜKELÇİLİKTEN TEPKİ-

    Skandal yarışmaya tepki gösteren Türkiye’nin Brüksel Bürükelçisi Murat Ersavcı, rahatsızlığını ilettiği Peumans’tan Türk toplumuna yönelik açıklama sözü
    aldı.

    Büyükelçilikten yapılan yazılı açıklamada, “Bir bilgi yarışması programına yakışmayan bu tür bir sorunun sorulmuş olması ve verilen yanıttan
    duyduğumuz memnuniyetsizlik Büyükelçi Ersavcı tarafından Peumans;a telefonla iletilmiştir. Peumans, ön bilgisi dışında gelişen bu durumun amacını aşan
    sonuçlara yol açmasından üzüntü duyduğunu; sitayişle bahsettiği ve hiçbir şekilde rencide etmek istemediğini vurguladığı Türk toplumuna bir açıklamada
    bulunacağını; anılan televizyon kanalı nezdinde de gerekli girişimi yapacağını ifade etmiştir” denildi.

    -SKANDALLARLA GÜNDEMDE-

    Belçika’da cumhuriyetçi olduğu gerekçesiyle Kral’ın resepsiyonlarını boykot etmesiyle tanınan ve saldırgan uslubu nedeniyle Fransızca konuşan Valon
    toplumunun tepkisini çeken Peumans, eşiyle gezintiye çıktığı Valon sınırındaki Vise kasabasında, “Yeni Flaman İttifakı üyesi bir politikacının Valon bölgesinde
    ne işi olduğunu sorgulayan” bir gençten dayak yerken polis ekiplerince kurtarılmıştı.

  • Please remove the Turkish flag in your media kit

    Please remove the Turkish flag in your media kit

    sacrified survivors1Martin J. Mawyer – President of CAN
    PO Box 606, Forest, VA 24551
    Toll Free Phone: 888-499-4226
    martin@christianaction.org

    Dear President of Christian Action Network Martin Mawyer,

    As a Turkish American I was simply insulted and outraged when your organization has displayed a Turkish Flag on the SACRIFICED SURVIVORS: The Untold Story of the Ground Zero Mosque.” documentary movie.

    The Republic of Turkey is a unique country that embrace all religions and cultures in the most chaotic region of the middle east. Turkey has been a key strategic ally of the West and the United states since the Korean War and Cold War for decades and serves as a model for other Muslim countries.

    Displaying the Turkish republic’s flag on your web site plus on announcements and on the cover of your documentary movie is a insult of a great nation and a quintessential example of fraud perpetrated by uneducated groups to associate the Turkish Republic and her people with terrorists.

    As a organization, you have a special responsibility to ensure the accuracy of the information you circulate, especially on an issue as important as to the Republic of Turkey.

    We remember those who lost their lives at the WTC , Pentagon and on Flight 93. On that day of September eleven. Thousands of innocent women and men were taken from their families, and their loss leaves a profound sadness in our hearts. On that day we all meet the worst of humanity with the best of humanity. Each of us did our part, and each of us made it a point of personal pride and determination to recreate what had been destroyed and indeed the human spirit is, invincible, because what we stand for can never be destroyed.

    We the American Turkish community and Turks in Turkey know too well the pains that terrorist have brought into our peaceful lives. So we stand committed to raising awareness of the hate that terrorist have and we stand committed to eradicating and ending terrorism once and for all.

    The American Turkish community expects fair treatment on issue’s that matters to our community.

    Our hope is that as we discussed the matter with Mr. Jason Campbell that your group would remove the Turkish flag and that Christian Action Network be objective and share the correct information with the public.

    I truly hope that Christian Action Network takes into consideration to remove the Turkish Flag ASAP from the web site and all documentary related materials.

    Sincerely Yours,

    Dr. Muzaffer Karasulu

    Retired Nuclear Physicist and Nuclear Engineer, served 35 years for the US Nuclear Industry.

    Thank you

    [[petition-3]]

    Related News :

  • Please remove the Turkish flag in your media kit

    Please remove the Turkish flag in your media kit

    sacrified survivorsDear Editor,

    Placement of Turkish flag in your piece on 9/11, its dvd cover, posters, and other media items, if not based on ignorance or disinformation, can only reflect your prejudice against Turkey and Turks.

    Please remove the Turkish flag from your artwork. Turkey or Turks have nothing to do with El Qaeda or other terrorist organizations who deliberatelly misuse Islam as a cover for their crimes against humanity.

    Truth should be plain enough to make an impact on decent people, without having to rely on tools of prejudice and hate towards Turks, that unfortunately seems to still be cultuivated in some Christian circles.

    I trust you will do the right thing.

    Thank you

    [[petition-3]]

    Related News :

  • A PUBLIC PETITION TO THE SWISS GOVERMENT FOR TANGIBLE PROOF OR OTHERWISE

    A PUBLIC PETITION TO THE SWISS GOVERMENT FOR TANGIBLE PROOF OR OTHERWISE

    WE THE UNDERSIGNED, SIGN A PETITION AGAINST A PAROCHIAL SWISS LAW PERTAINING TO SO CALLED ARMENIAN GENOCIDE AND ITS PUBLIC DENIAL THEREOF.  THE SAID SWISS LAW IS WITHOUT INTERNATIONAL LEGAL BASIS AND RESTRICTIVE ON FREEDOM OF SPEECH AND LAWFUL EXPRESSION, ACCORDINGLY UNTRIED AND UNTESTED BY INTERNATIONAL LEGAL BODIES; INCLUDING UNITED NATIONS AND THE INTERNATIONAL COURT OF HUMAN RIGHTS.

    THIS IS AN INTERNATIONAL PUBLIC PROTEST AGAINST THE BIASED AND RACIST SWISS LAW, GIVEN THAT ITS PAROCHIAL NATURE IS IMMORAL, AGAINST THE LETTER AND THE SPIRIT OF THE UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS OF 1948, EUROPEAN CONVENTION ON HUMAN RIGHTS OF 1950, INTERNATIONAL COVENANT ON CIVIL AND POLITICAL RIGHTS OF 1966  AND THE INTERNATIONAL COVENANT ON ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND CULTURAL RIGHTS OF ALSO 1966 AND THE CLEAR REJECTION OF ARMENIAN CLAIMS BY THE UNITED NATIONS ON THE 15th OF OCTOBER, 2000.

    WE SUBMIT OUR PROTEST AGAINST SAID SWISS LAW AS EUROPEAN AND FREE WORLD CITIZENS, IN GOOD FAITH, ON OUR FREE WILL AND WITHOUT ANY UNDUE INFLUENCE FROM ANY PARTY. WE SEEK IMMEDIATE REPEAL FOR THIS INHUMANE AND RACIST LAW IN NO UNCERTAIN TERMS AND SUBMIT A POCKET GUIDE FOR YOUR INFORMATION AND ENLIGHTENMENT.

    This Petition is closed

    swiss flag

  • RELEASE MORDECHAI VANUNU

    RELEASE MORDECHAI VANUNU

    VANUNUTargeting: Barack Obama (President, USA), Rt Hon David Cameron (Prime Minister, UK) and Binyamin Netanyahu (Prime Minister, Israel)
    Started by: Gail Vaughn

    The following letter has been sent by Mairead Maguire, Nobel Peace Laureate, and Gerry Grehan, Chair of the Peace People, Northern Ireland, to President Barak Obama, UK Prime Minister David Cameron, Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, other world leaders and prominent personalities, to ask for their help in obtaining the lifting of all restrictions on Mordechai Vanunu and for him to be granted freedom to leave Israel.

    Please express your support for this letter by signing this petition.

    28 July 2010

    We are writing to you on behalf of a good man, a man of peace and conscience, who was returned to prison for three months on 23 May 2010.

    He was released from prison on Sunday 8 August 2010.  We need your support to help gain his freedom from Israel.

    He is Mordechai Vanunu the Israeli nuclear whistle blower.  In October l986, Vanunu told the world that Israel had a Nuclear Weapons Programme.  He was kidnapped and given 18 years imprisonment for espionage and treason.  Twenty four years later he continues to be punished.  In the Jewish Scriptures there is great emphasis on justice and freedom.   He served the full 18 years of his sentence (twelve years in solitary confinement, described by Amnesty International as “cruel, inhuman and degrading”).  Upon his release, the Israeli Government put severe restrictions upon him, including forbidding him to leave Israel and speak to the foreign media.  It was the breaking of these restrictions, in summer 2004, by speaking to the foreign media, (mainly a long interview to the BBC), which resulted in his being returned to solitary confinement again this May.

    Last month Amnesty International declared him a prisoner of conscience and called on the Israeli authorities to lift the restrictions immediately.  “The restrictions on Mordechai Vanunu arbitrarily limit his rights to freedom of movement, expression and association and are therefore in breach of international law.  They should be lifted and he should be allowed to start his life again as a free man.   Mordechai Vanunu should not be in prison at all, let alone be held in solitary confinement in a unit intended for violent criminals.   He suffered immensely when he was held in solitary confinement for 11 years after his imprisonment in 1986 and to return him to such conditions now is nothing less than cruel, inhuman or degrading.”  18 June 2010 Amnesty International

    Yet, when he is released from prison he will still have to remain in Israel and the restrictions will be reviewed and probably renewed yet again, as they have been renewed each year for the past 6 years.

    Vanunu is seen as a traitor by some, a hero by others.   One thing is clear, he has been punished and served the full sentence and it is time after 24 years to do the human thing and let him live as a free man.

    The Israeli Supreme Court continues to accept the Secret Services’ claims that he still has secrets, but a report by Reuters, 20 December 2009, shows that he does not :

    ” … Yet Uzi Eilam, a retired army brigadier-general who ran the Israeli Atomic Energy Commission between 1976 and 1986, said anything that Vanunu — a cause célèbre among disarmament campaigners — might still disclose about Dimona is of little relevance. “I’ve always believed he should be let go,” said Eilam.

    “I don’t think he has significant things to reveal (about Dimona) now.”

    However, we believe that he will be free and our hope is that you will in some way facilitate his early release which would be welcomed by a world waiting and watching for a peaceful and secure future for Israel and its people.    We would greatly appreciate your advising us of any action you take – info@peacepeople.com.

    Shalom,
    Mairead Maguire, Nobel Peace Laureate
    Gerry Grehan, Chair of the Peace People

    Vanunu has been nominated year after year for the Nobel Peace Prize.

    The many prominent names who have called for his release and respect of his human rights over the last 24 years include:

    The late Nobel Laureates Joseph Rotblat and Harold Pinter; Nobel Laureates Former President Jimmy Carter; Archbishop Desmond Tutu; Mary Ellen McNish (on behalf of AFSC); Betty Williams; Adolfo Perez Esquival; Rigoberta Menchu; Shirin Ebadi; Wangari Maathai; Mairead Maguire; John Hume

    Kidnap victims Brian Keenan; Anthony Gray

    Politicians and human rights activists: the late Robin Cook, former UK Foreign Secretary; former Israeli Minister Shulamit Aloni; Helen Bamber; Simon Hughes; Daniel Elsberg; Bruce Kent; Noam Chomsky; Rabbi Philip Bentley (USA); Michael Mansfield QC; Dr Paul Oestreicher; Baroness Helena Kennedy QC; Tariq Ali; Jeremy Corbyn; Ken Livingstone; Ben Birnberg; David Goldberg QC; Alex Salmund

    Actors, writers, musicians and artists:  Emma Thompson; Julie Christie; Susannah York; Vanessa Redgrave; the late Corin Redgrave; Yoko Ono; Bono; Peter Gabriel; the late Graham Greene; the late Yehudi Menuhin; Janet Suzman; Gilad Atzmon; Richard Hamilton; Michael Rosen; David Gilmore; Benjamin Zephaniah, Alexie Sayle; Maggie Hambling; Tom Conti; Simon Callow; Jeremy Hardy; Miriam Margolyes; Prunella Scales; Arnold Wesker; John Williams; Roger Lloyd-Pack; Christopher Logue; the late Adrian Mitchell

    Journalists:  Andrew Neil; Jon Snow; John Pilger; Robert Fisk; Duncan Campbell; Victoria Brittain; Richard Norton-Taylor