Facebook shuts BDP page for using ‘Kurdistan’

[Aslan]

Only days after closing down the Peace and Democracy Party’s (BDP) Istanbul provincial branch's page on Oct. 24, Facebook has closed the BDP headquarters’ page due to the use of the word “Kurdistan.”

The party announced the shutdown, accusing Facebook of increasing censorship, which it said is a result of the company’s constant cooperation with the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP).

“Cooperation with the AKP, which discovered the value of social media during the Gezi Resistance days, Facebook is continuing without slowing down. As a result of this cooperation, our party’s censorship on Facebook is gradually increasing. Facebook’s censorship policy regarding our party is similar to the policy of pressure being assumed in the political field,” said the BDP in a statement released yesterday.

Recalling that their Istanbul provincial branch’s page was closed down days ago, the BDP said Facebook’s motive for cooperation with the AKP was its desire to get more shares in advertisement opportunities in Turkey via opening an office here. The new page bans come only a month after BDP officials met with representatives from the social media company in London, after its official party pages were officially closed.

Although they admitted mistakes in their practices during the meeting in London, recent moves show that the promise from the world’s largest online social network, with 1.15 billion members, was just tactical, the BDP said.

“The closure of our headquarters’ page is the most concrete indication of this. Facebook cited use of the word ‘Kurdistan’ in a message posted on the page. The word ‘Kurdistan’ is a legitimate and legal word; however, Facebook’s ban of this [word] is irrational,” it said in a statement.

Meanwhile, Facebook has surreptitiously resumed allowing decapitation videos to be posted on its website, lifting a temporary ban it had placed earlier this year on content featuring graphic violence.

Earlier this month, after a report on the BBC, Facebook said gory photos and videos were permitted on its site so long as the content was posted in a manner intended for its users to “condemn” the acts rather than celebrate them.

Recalling these developments, the BDP described them as part of “a policy that will be a black spot in media history.”

[Anthea]

It is widely known that facebook has no option other than to remove overtly Kurdish pages from it's site - were it not to do so then Turkey would block the use of facebook

All over the entire world web sites are being blocked by governments - that is their prerogative - worldwide we only see what our governments allow us to see - our governments are in complete control

Knowing the above to be fact - there is absolutely nothing stopping Kurds from using different social networks where their pages and information is safe

[Shirko]

It is widely known that facebook has no option other than to remove overtly Kurdish pages from it's site - were it not to do so then Turkey would block the use of facebook

All over the entire world web sites are being blocked by governments - that is their prerogative - worldwide we only see what our governments allow us to see - our governments are in complete control

Knowing the above to be fact - there is absolutely nothing stopping Kurds from using different social networks where their pages and information is safe

It would be nice to just boycott FB, but that is probably not going to happen. Everybody is on FB, no government on earth can completeley block out the web, Except maybe North Korea. That is why I do believe that Turkey can do this alone, why are they all so.scared of Kurdistan?

[Anthea]

Facebook has not been going many years - pre-facebook people managed to keep in touch with each other - people make use of facebook - facebook makes use of people - the CIA admits to using facebook to investigate criminal connections

People could use other social networking web sites - if PKK supporters wish to talk about Ocalan they could easily set up their own social network site in the dark net and say anything they want - nobody forces them to use facebook - and as it is so closely watched perhaps they should be careful while using it

For instance: If someone on facebook has a friend involved in drug dealing - but they themselves know nothing about it - just because they send their drug dealing friend an innocent message - they themselves risk becoming classified as a "Person of Interest" - especially if they have any other friend who has ever been a "Person of Interest"