2005 IFEX Protest: Austrian Author Receives Suspended Six-Month Prison Sentence

Austrian Author Receives Suspended Six-Month Prison Sentence

Action Alert Update - Greece

February 2, 2005

Source: Writers in Prison Committee (WiPC), International PEN, London;
International Publishers' Association (IPA), Geneva

**Updates IFEX alert of 15 October 2004**

(WiPC/IPA/IFEX) - The following is a joint WiPC, IPA and International Booksellers Federation (IBF) appeal to Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis:

Kostas Karamanlis
Prime Minister of the Hellenic Republic
Maximos Mansion ("Megaro Maximou")
19, Herodou Attikou str
GR-106 74 Athens

02 February 2005

Your Excellency,

The Writers in Prison Committee of International PEN, the International Publishers' Association and the International Booksellers Federation jointly condemn the sentencing of Austrian author, Gerhard Haderer, by a Greek Court to six-months in prison for his book "The Life of Jesus" as absurd. The decision flies in the face of international standards guaranteeing freedom of expression and to which the Greek government has pledged its commitment.

Gerhard Haderer was tried alongside his Greek publisher, Mr. Chatzopoulos, of Oxy Publishing, and four booksellers, on charges of blasphemy. The trial started in December 2003, and concluded on 18 January 2005 with the conviction of Haderer and the acquittal of the publisher and booksellers. "The Life of Jesus" is an illustrated book with humorous intent. The Greek courts considered its depiction of Jesus as a hippie as defamation and ridicule. The book has been published in a number of other countries without controversy or judicial action.

The six-month sentence against Haderer was suspended. He is not resident in Greece and will only face imprisonment if he enters the country. However, the Writers in Prison Committee, the International Publishers' Association and the International Booksellers Federation believe that the conviction is aimed at deterring others from writing or publishing similar works.

The Greek government has pledged itself to the protection of the right to freedom of expression through its ratification of both the European Convention on Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political rights, both of which carry articles that explicitly guarantee this right.

International PEN, the International Publishers' Association and the International Booksellers Federation call on the Greek authorities to review legislation that allows the sentencing of writers solely for their writings and in contravention of the Greek government's commitment to freedom of expression. We understand that Haderer's lawyers are considering an appeal against the sentence and we very much hope that such a review will result in the rescinding of the conviction.

We would be most interested in any comments that you may have on the contents of this appeal.

Yours sincerely,

Karin Clark
Chair
Writers in Prison Committee
International PEN

Lars Grahn
President
Freedom to Publish Committee
International Publishers' Association

Eric Hardin
President
International Booksellers Federation

CC:
Mr. Anastasis P. Papaligouras, Minister of Justice

International PEN is the world association of writers representing members in 94 countries. IPA is the world association of publishers representing members in 78 countries. IBF is the world association of booksellers representing members in 32 countries.

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Send appeals to the prime minister:
- condemning the sentencing of Haderer
- calling on the authorities to review legislation that allows the
sentencing of writers solely for their writings and in contravention
of the Greek government's commitment to freedom of expression

APPEALS TO:

Kostas Karamanlis
Prime Minister of the Hellenic Republic
Maximos Mansion ("Megaro Maximou")
19, Herodou Attikou str
GR-106 74 Athens
E-mail: info@primeminister.gr

Please copy appeals to the source if possible.

For further information, contact the WiPC, International PEN, 9/10
Charterhouse Buildings, Goswell Road, London EC1M 7AT, U.K.,
tel: +44 207 253 3226, fax: +44 207 253 5711,
e-mail: intpen@gn.apc.org, Internet: http://www.internationalpen.org.uk,
or the IPA, 3, avenue de Miremont, Ch-1206, Geneva, Switzerland,
tel: +41 22 346 30 18, fax: +41 22 347 57 17,
e-mail: krikorian@ipa-uie.org, secretariat@ipa-uie.org, Internet:
http://www.ipa-uie.org

The information contained in this action alert update is the sole responsibility of WiPC and IPA. In citing this material for broadcast or publication, please credit WiPC and IPA.

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