Sarah and Eugenie: Documentary on Turkish Orphanages - November 2008

[Lumutqueen]

Eugenie and Bea may have chosen to come a long, but I personally don't think the offer for them to go should ever have existed.

[muriel]

BBC News - Duchess of York charged by Turkey over orphans film

Duchess of York charged by Turkey over orphans film


A court in Turkey has brought charges against the Duchess of York for illegally filming orphans in the country for a television documentary.

[Jacknch]

Originally Posted by muriel

BBC News - Duchess of York charged by Turkey over orphans film

Duchess of York charged by Turkey over orphans film


A court in Turkey has brought charges against the Duchess of York for illegally filming orphans in the country for a television documentary.

I take it that the "violating privacy" element of the charge relates to violating the privacy of the Turkish authorities in their presumed right to keep such a shameful secret away from public knowledge and not violating the privacy of the children themselves? I should have thought that the authorities would have concentrated on dealing with the violation of the children's human rights.

[Mermaid1962]

I don't suppose that she'll ever actually face trial. Does the UK have an extradition treaty with Turkey? If not, all she has to do is not step foot in Turkey again. I wonder whether anything has improved for Turkey's orphans since their conditions have been exposed?

[Lenora]

Turkish court charges Duchess of York over orphanage film - TODAY People - TODAY.com
I am not fan of Sarah at all and usually her actions were very wrong, she did many scandalous things, but this accusation,I do believe, is stupid, she didn't do anything dangerous to risk prison for so many years.

[Mermaid1962]

Twenty-two years does seem extreme for invading someone's privacy.

Originally Posted by Lenora

I am not fan of Sarah at all and usually her actions were very wrong, she did many scandalous things, but this accusation,I do believe, is stupid, she didn't do anything dangerous to risk prison for so many years.

[NGalitzine]

Everyone visiting a foreign country must be aware that each country has its own laws and penalties for violating those laws. She must have known something was amiss with what she was doing since it was not exactly done openly.
I doubt anything will come of this unless on one of her jaunts around the Med a plane or a yacht she was on happens to land in Turkish territory. Lucky for her Turkey has not yet been admitted to the EU, but there is an extradition treaty with Turkey. She may want to rent a copy of Midnight Express to see the inside of a Turkish prison.

[Mermaid1962]

Agreed, and no country wants to be embarrassed. One wonders how Sarah is receiving this news.

Originally Posted by NGalitzine

Everyone visiting a foreign country must be aware that each country has its own laws and penalties for violating those laws. She must have known something was amiss with what she was doing since it was not exactly done openly.

[Russophile]

This publicity might bring some much needed GOOD attention to the cause Sarah supports and condemnation from International Human Rights agencies.
Of course Sarah would do well not to try and hit a spa in Turkey for rest adn relaxation. . . .

[NGalitzine]

Hmmm, we know she likes freebies & travel and it would be 22 years without worry about food, clothes or shelter in an exotic location.

[Queen of Quitealot]

The Telegraph is reporting that Sarah has been charged & may be tried 'in absentia' in Turkey for 'violating children's privacy' in connection with her and/or ITV's documentary about conditions in Turkish orphanages. Apparently she could face 20 years if convicted.

I apologize for being unable to provide a 'link' to the article, but I know the forum is specific as to how they want links done & unfortunately, I don't know how to provide an acceptable link. Sorry! I'm hoping (and am sure) that a more experienced member will search for & provide a link to the article.

[Mermaid1962]

That would be the ideal outcome. In fact, Turkey might be "shooting itself in the foot" by charging Sarah. If Turkey wants to be seen as modern and Westward-looking, it seems counter-productive to prosecute someone for publicizing something as horrifying as that orphanage. Now people are thinking about Sarah's documentary again, and does Turkey really want that?

Originally Posted by Russophile

This publicity might bring some much needed GOOD attention to the cause Sarah supports and condemnation from International Human Rights agencies.

[Mermaid1962]

Duchess of York charged by Turkish authorities over orphanage film - Telegraph

Originally Posted by Queen of Quitealot

The Telegraph is reporting that Sarah has been charged & may be tried 'in absentia' in Turkey for 'violating children's privacy' in connection with her and/or ITV's documentary about conditions in Turkish orphanages. Apparently she could face 20 years if convicted.

[Princess BellyFlop]

The news is even in our newspapers here in Montreal.

[kakieanne]

IMHO Sarah is never going to be extradited to Turkey...she is the mother of the Queen's grandchildren and in the UK's opinion, she should be applauded, not jailed. It's the Turkish officials who have allowed this condition that should be jailed.

OTOH, this is good publicity for Sarah in reminding people of the good that she has done because for all her faults, she has done much good in her life.

[Tyger]

Poor kid. She can't win for losing. And IMO its no joke to have this threat happen. A bit unnerving. Crazy people out there.

[NGalitzine]

Fortunately the Turkish authorities did not also cite Princess Eugenie since her mother unwisely involved her in the documentary as well.

[Baroness of Books]

Originally Posted by Queen of Quitealot

The Telegraph is reporting that Sarah has been charged & may be tried 'in absentia' in Turkey for 'violating children's privacy' in connection with her and/or ITV's documentary about conditions in Turkish orphanages. Apparently she could face 20 years if convicted.

I apologize for being unable to provide a 'link' to the article, but I know the forum is specific as to how they want links done & unfortunately, I don't know how to provide an acceptable link. Sorry! I'm hoping (and am sure) that a more experienced member will search for & provide a link to the article.

Is this the link you're referring to?

Duchess of York charged by Turkish authorities over orphanage film - Telegraph

It looks like Sarah's wearing dark contacts as well as a wig. What puts me off somewhat is that Sarah's documentary is entitled "Duchess and Daughters: Their Secret Mission." Just the title gives me the impression that it's more focused on her rather than the dire conditions she filmed. I think it could have been better titled. And this is just a terrible situation that's unfortunately backfired and I hope this will be resolved without negative publicity, especially on Beatrice. It's a shame that in an effort to expose the bad conditions under which these children are living, the spotlight is back on Sarah.

[sliver_bic]

This might not end well. If Turkey pushes for an extradition the RF will be in for hell in the worst year possible. Any kind of haggling to keep her in the UK will look like favoritism. God knows if this gets heavy Sarah will be out in full force giving interviews.

Ultimately I think this ends with some deal that the RF will probably have a hand in where she can't go back to Turkey. As much noise as they make I doubt that Turkey will actually go all out, not when it further exposes the horrible conditions those children were kept in.

Originally Posted by NGalitzine

Fortunately the Turkish authorities did not also cite Princess Beatrice since her mother unwisely involved her in the documentary as well.

Eugenie not Beatrice. I think she might have still been under 18, or more specifically the Turks aren't trying to piss off the Royal Family. Eugenie's involvement will be seen as Sarah's responsibility even if she had already turned 18.

[NGalitzine]

According to the article she cannot be handed over to Turkey because the offence is not punishable in the UK. The story will unfortunately give Sarah another reason to give interviews.