English Pen – The Gezi Park Protests: the impact on freedom of expression in Turkey

8 February, 5.00pm

When a small group of environmental campaigners began a sit-in in Gezi Park, Istanbul, last May, few could have predicted that their protest against the construction of a shopping mall would escalate into an unprecedented demonstration against the state, nor that the state would respond in the way that they did. 

In February 2014, English PEN and PEN International will launch our joint report, ‘The Gezi Park Protest: the impact on freedom of expression in Turkey’, assessing the violations of the right to freedom of expression and freedom of assembly that took place during last year’s demonstrations.

Ahead of the launch, we will be holding a panel discussion at the Arcola Theatre in Hackney. Novelist and translator Maureen Freely, writer and researcher Ziya Meral and BBC journalist Selin Girit will join the author of the report Alev Yaman to discuss our findings and explore the broader issues affecting writers and freedom of expression in Turkey today. The discussion will be chaired by Jo Glanville, Director of English PEN.

*Please note, the event will be held in English.

PEN is hugely grateful to the Arcola Theatre for hosting the event, and to Philip Arditti for his support. 

Spaces are limited, so booking is essential. To book your place please email cat@englishpen.org