Nobel laureate Orhan Pamuk slams prosecutions of critics: 'Cruelty set as an example'

In an interview, Turkey's Nobel prize-winning author Orhan Pamuk has commented on the current political climate in Turkey and called on the bourgeoisie to speak up against the injustices of the ruling AKP. "I am not courageous. I am scared and I am speaking faint-heartedly. But yet I would be more scared if I do not speak at all. I am ashamed. Osman Kavala is in jail; everyone is in jail; everyone is being tortured. Sadism, cruelty is being set as an example,” he said.

Wednesday September 21 2022 02:28 pm

Duvar English

The Nobel-winning Turkish author Orhan Pamuk has given an interview to journalist Murat Sabuncu from online news outlet T24 on his new book “Uzak Dağlar and Hatıralar” (Far away mountains and memories).

During the interview, Pamuk also shared his opinions with regards to Turkey’s current situation and the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP).

He said that democracy does not just mean elections and that freedom of thought is also a “must” for democracy to prevail in a country. “You can not have democracy with sadism,” he said.

He said that although has “spoken with fear” all his life due to the risk of being prosecuted, he is “not as scared as before.” “But I think I am right in being scared. I am not courageous. I am scared and I am speaking faint-heartedly. But yet I would be more scared if I do not speak at all. I am ashamed. (Philanthropist) Osman Kavala is in jail; everyone is in jail; everyone is being tortured. Sadism, cruelty is being set as an example. Look at what has been done to singer Gülşen. Would you not be scared of these?” Pamuk asked.

The Nobel laureate novelist yet said that despite being scared, people should continue to talk. He said that the ruling AKP “no longer has power left to imprison” everyone criticizing it. “I think that the light at the end of the tunnel has been seen, but we do not how it will happen.”

Pamuk also commented on the opposition bloc formed by six parties, saying that he will favor the presidential candidate that this bloc is planning to announce.

Pamuk reacted against the judiciary process launched against singer Gülşen, the Justice Ministry’s refusal to release Aysel Tuğluk, the former Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) deputy co-chair, despite her worsening dementia as well as unlawful arrests in the country by saying: “You cannot take revenge from intellects.”

Pamuk also criticized the Turkish bourgeoisie for not speaking up louder against injustices, saying that they also have “responsibility” as they are “also a part of this democracy.” “Look, with this silence (oppression, injustices), Turkey is losing its banks, properties, everything, all values,” he said.