Pamuk draws international support

International support for renowned Turkish novelist Orhan Pamuk is growing fast. The UK newspaper the Sunday Times has called lawsuits on Pamuk “a disgrace for Turkey” whereas the Booker-prize winning writer Kazuo Ishigura pointed out that “it is shocking and terrifying that such an event takes places in today’s Turkey.” Pamuk has been subject to a string of lawsuits as a result of his announcements on the Armenian genocide. “I am stunned that this happens to someone who has contributed immensely to the prestige of their country. Turkey needs to realise that it will do harm to itself if this legal battle continues,” Ishigura said.   Head of jury for the Booker prize, John Sutherland said: “It is highly inappropriate that any political expression ends up like this. You can deny Pamuk’s comments’ integrity but you can deny his right to express them.”   The Sunday Times has also published a “human rights violations” coverage on their issue and quoted Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdullah Gül on Pamuk’s case, who affirms that “there is freedom of expression” in the country.�