The application by Ahmet Altan to the European Court of Human Rights ruled a violation of rights. Judge Egidius Kuris explained the opinion ruling that there is no violation of rights by quoting Bob Dylan.
ANKARA – The decision regarding the application by detainees Ahmet Altan and Murat Aksoy to the European Court of Human Rights are settled. The court ruled that both applications have the violation of rights. However, the court ruled that there is no violation regarding article 18 “the limitation of restriction of rights” with 6 votes against 1 vote. Lithuanian Judge Egidius Kuris who voted against the decision quoted Bob Dylan’s “Blowin’ in the Wind” song when explaining his opposing view.
“SOMETIMES THE JUDGES LISTEN TO MUSIC”
Egidius Kuris said, “it is not right that the judges are only interested in the laws. Sometimes they listen to music. Although the lawyers need to deal with the cases rather than the artists, these lines which are the product of the artistic creativity of the artists might be worth quoting if certain verses of the line better express the reality. Moreover, some judges might quote from their favourite songwriters.”
“HOW MANY TIMES CAN A MAN TURN HIS HEAD?”
Kuris who previously quoted Pink Floyd and Bob Dylan in the European Court of Human Rights’ Republic Case said, “there is a quote from the most known song of Dylan 8Blowing! in the Wind)… Just like everybody knows which model and tendency consolidate the treatment to civil society and independent media in the last few years, everybody also knows this song” and shared the following lyrics: “Yes, how many times can a man turn his head and pretend that he just doesn’t see?”
Kuris added to his opposing view, “do you think Dylan refers to an ambiguous “man”? I think not. The same question is valid for the institutions. And these institutions include domestic and foreign courts.”
Translated from Turkish News
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