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A world that is afraid to condemn

Në 15 vitet e fundit, jeta ime publike është mbrojtur falë eskortës së vënë në dispozicion nga qeveria turke. Sado të mirë dhe të kujdesshëm jenë të truprojat, e sado që përpiqen të mos tërheqin vëmendjen, prania e tyre nuk është asnjëherë e pëlqyeshme.
A world that is afraid to condemn

By Orhan Pamuk / In the last twenty years I have had the opportunity to have many long conversations with various writers who have been threatened with death, mainly by "Islamists" or "Islamic extremists". Or with writers who, for various reasons, live under the threat of Islamic countries and are protected by bodyguards. I am one of them.

In the last 15 years, my public life has been protected thanks to the escort made available by the Turkish government. No matter how good and careful the bodyguards are, and no matter how much they try not to attract attention, their presence is never pleasant.

From my experience, I know that after the first five years, which are also the most dangerous years, the writer under protection is convinced that "the worst is over" and that perhaps he no longer needs bodyguards and can return to his normal life. old, beautiful and "normal".

However, in most cases, it is not a realistic decision and therefore universities, organizations, foundations, various bodies and municipalities that decide to invite fearless writers automatically have a duty to protect their safety no matter what. the writers themselves think or argue about their own situation.

Every time a writer suffers a physical attack, outbursts immediately begin that words must be answered with words, books must be answered with books. But does this antiquated principle still make sense today? Usually, everyone who pulls the trigger or carries the knife has read very few books in their lifetime. If they had read more, or perhaps written one themselves, would they have been capable of such acts of violence? Would they be able to publish their work?

Although we recognize the role that social inequalities play in these kinds of cruel attacks on writers, against books and freedom of speech - the humiliation of the deceased second- or third-class citizens, who feel themselves invisible, without representation and completely irrelevant – does not make us shy away from the protection of freedom of expression. On the contrary, the mention of social and cultural inequalities as well as nationalist grudges that often lie behind these threats and attacks, should serve to strengthen our effort in keeping freedom of expression alive.

Among other things, it is disheartening to see how this shameful attack was received positively, with applause and with visible satisfaction not only in Iran, but also in many Muslim countries. Citizens of Muslim countries, who sincerely despise and condemn the attack on Rushdie, express their regret only behind closed doors and among their closest friends.

Even the champions of freedom of expression do not dare to express their opposition. Several friends, who knew about the writing of these few lines, have already warned me to take due care, even knowing that I enjoy the protection of an escort.