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Turkish group sounds alarm over rise in racism
ANKARA, April 11 (AFP) - 14h15 - Some 200
Turkish intellectuals have criticised a rise in
racism and nationalism they say threatens relations
between Kurds and Turks, in an open letter that
appeared in all main national papers on Monday.
"In light of recent events we believe an attempt to
hamper the peace process and democratisation of our
country is being made," said the letter signed by
journalists, artists, musicians, academics and
non-governmental organisations.
The letter referred to an incident last week where
an angry crowd of 2,000 tried to lynch five
militants who had been handing out leaflets on
prisoner rights at a market in the northeastern city
of Trabzon.
The youths had been mistaken by tradesmen and
shoppers for Kurdish activists rumoured to have
burned a Turkish flag, and whose lives were saved at
the last second by the police.
An outrage against the Turkish flag that took place
during celebrations of the Kurdish new year March 21
in the southern city of Mersin sent a wave of
nationalist fervour through Turkey.
"The reaction to this incident carried out by a
group of children has slipped, with the help of
state authorities, toward racism and nationalism,"
said the letter, which accused both Turkish and
Kurdish nationalists of fostering mass hysteria.
As part of its efforts to meet European Union
democratic norms, Turkey has granted new cultural
rights to its 10-million strong Kurdish minority.
Negotiations for Turkey's adhesion to the EU are set
to start in October 2005, with Ankara's poor record
on human rights one of the key issues cited by those
who oppose its bid to join the 25-member bloc.
AFP
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