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Kurdish child singers face prison Kurdish child singers face prison
(about 5 hours later)
Members of a Kurdish children's choir face up to five years in prison as they go on trial in south eastern Turkey.Members of a Kurdish children's choir face up to five years in prison as they go on trial in south eastern Turkey.
The choir - whose members are aged from 12 to 17 - is accused of spreading propaganda for the outlawed Kurdish separatist rebel group, the PKK.The choir - whose members are aged from 12 to 17 - is accused of spreading propaganda for the outlawed Kurdish separatist rebel group, the PKK.
The charges were brought after the group took part in a world music festival in San Francisco, and sang a march in Kurdish.The charges were brought after the group took part in a world music festival in San Francisco, and sang a march in Kurdish.
The prosecutor's indictment claims the song is the anthem of the PKK.The prosecutor's indictment claims the song is the anthem of the PKK.
Turkey has been fighting the PKK since the 1980s, in a conflict that has cost almost 40,000 lives.Turkey has been fighting the PKK since the 1980s, in a conflict that has cost almost 40,000 lives.
In a statement on the case, Amnesty International argues that singing an historic anthem cannot be judged a threat to public order - and is therefore a matter of free expression. It warns that the children will be considered prisoners of conscience if they are found guilty.In a statement on the case, Amnesty International argues that singing an historic anthem cannot be judged a threat to public order - and is therefore a matter of free expression. It warns that the children will be considered prisoners of conscience if they are found guilty.
Old KurdishOld Kurdish
The children's choir performed in America in several languages, but it is a march in Kurdish that has caused the controversy.The children's choir performed in America in several languages, but it is a march in Kurdish that has caused the controversy.
The prosecutor claims the song "Ey Raqip", or "Hey, Enemy", is the anthem of the PKK: the separatist militant group Turkish troops have been fighting for two decades.The prosecutor claims the song "Ey Raqip", or "Hey, Enemy", is the anthem of the PKK: the separatist militant group Turkish troops have been fighting for two decades.
The PKK has been fighting the government for two decades
The indictment also says PKK flags were displayed at the music festival - and accuses the children of making propaganda for terrorists.The indictment also says PKK flags were displayed at the music festival - and accuses the children of making propaganda for terrorists.
One of the singers told the BBC the lyrics to the march were in an old form of Kurdish, and he and his friends did not even understand them. He said the choir wanted to showcase Kurdish culture, not engage in politics - and they only sang the march in response to a request from the audience.One of the singers told the BBC the lyrics to the march were in an old form of Kurdish, and he and his friends did not even understand them. He said the choir wanted to showcase Kurdish culture, not engage in politics - and they only sang the march in response to a request from the audience.
Three teenagers - aged 15 to 17 - will be tried in an adult, serious crimes court in Diyarbakir - in the mainly Kurdish south east of the country.Three teenagers - aged 15 to 17 - will be tried in an adult, serious crimes court in Diyarbakir - in the mainly Kurdish south east of the country.
They face up to five years in prison if they are convicted.They face up to five years in prison if they are convicted.
Six younger choir-members will be tried on the same charge, in a children's court in July. There is far more freedom in Turkey today to speak or sing in Kurdish than when the PKK took up arms - in the days when the very existence of the Kurds was officially denied here. Six younger choir-members, aged 12-15, will be tried in a children's court on the same charge in July.
But there are still limits. State prosecutors regularly file criminal charges - at any hint of Kurdish nationalism, that they deem to be separatist. Suspicion
Kurdish human rights groups also say many children who were involved in street protests that became riots in the south east two years ago are still on trial there. They have been charged with supporting the PKK - or even belonging to it. There is far more freedom in Turkey today to speak or sing in Kurdish than when the PKK took up arms, in the days when even the existence of the Kurds was officially denied here.
Private courses in the Kurdish language are now permitted and there is some Kurdish language broadcasting on Turkish state TV.
But there are still strict limits. Those who insist on a distinct Kurdish identity are widely viewed with suspicion and state prosecutors regularly file criminal charges for spreading PKK propaganda or for supporting separatism.
The main pro-Kurdish political party, the DTP, has 20 seats in the current parliament but is now on trial and facing closure. It is accused of having links to the PKK and being the "focus of activities against the integrity of the state".
Kurdish human rights groups also say many children who were involved in street protests that became riots in the south-east two years ago are still on trial there.
They have been charged with supporting the PKK - or even belonging to it.