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Articles - Turkey

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Turkey

Justice not served in Hrant Dink's case

A Turkish court this week sentenced a man to life in prison for inciting the murder of prominent ethnic Armenian journalist Hrant Dink five years ago, but cleared all 19 suspects of belonging to a terrorist organisation, reports IFEX member in Turkey the IPS Communication Foundation (BIANET), along with other IFEX members.

Turkey

Morning raids sweep up pro-Kurdish journalists nationwide

At least 25 journalists were among more than 40 people arrested in a nationwide sweep in Turkey yesterday, allegedly for having links to the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), report the IPS Communication Foundation (BIANET), the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and Reporters Without Borders (RSF). The arrests bring the number of journalists in Turkish jails to more than 90, making Turkey one of the world's worst for detaining journalists, says BIANET.

Turkey

Delegation of free expression organisations witnesses political trial

As the trial began for 10 journalists accused of an anti-government conspiracy, free expression organisations visited Turkey to witness the case and investigate the deteriorating state of press freedom, which has led to a total of 64 imprisoned journalists, say IFEX members.

Turkey

Dozens arrested in government crackdown on free speech

A professor and a well-known publisher and his son were arrested as part of a recent crackdown on dissent and free speech, report the IPS Communication Foundation (BIANET), Initiative for Freedom of Expression (Antenna-TR) and other IFEX members. Around 50 people have been detained in the past week.

Turkey

IFEX members join thousands protesting detention of journalists

Thousands of people protested in Turkey on 4 March calling for an end to the repression of Turkish journalists in reaction to last week's detention of at least nine journalists and writers for their alleged links to the "Ergenekon" coup plots, report local IFEX members IPS Communication Foundation (BIANET) and the Initiative for Freedom of Expression (Antenna-TR), as well as other IFEX members.

Turkey

Kurdish editor gets 138 years

Turkey continues to use jail sentences to silence Kurds, handing down an outlandish prison sentence of 138 years to the former editorial manager of Turkey's only Kurdish daily on charges of "spreading propaganda for the PKK", the militant Kurdistan Workers Party, report IPS Communication Foundation (BIANET), the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and Reporters Without Borders (RSF).

Turkey

Jail time used to silence Kurds

Despite the Turkish Prime Minister's renewed interest in a permanent peace with the country's Kurdish population, anyone who speaks out on behalf of the ethnic minority continues to be faced with incredible jail sentences, report the IPS Communication Foundation (BIANET) and other news sources.

International / Awards / Chechnya (Russia) / Turkey

Russian magazine editor wins IPA's Freedom to Publish Prize

A Russian editor who has valiantly addressed the conflicts in the Caucasus - despite a recent kidnapping attempt - is this year's winner of the International Publisher Association (IPA) Freedom to Publish Prize. Israpil Shovkhalov, editor-in-chief of the quarterly magazine "Dosh", won the 2010 prize for his "exemplary courage in upholding freedom to publish." A special award will also go to Turkish publisher Irfan Sanci.

Awards / Turkey

BIANET honoured with press freedom prize

The Journalists Association of Turkey (TGC) has honoured IPS Communication Foundation (BIANET) with a Prize for Press Freedom for "its work in the field of alternative and rights-based journalism and for its efforts in the fields of developing democracy, the right to be informed and establishing greater awareness among the public." BIANET used the opportunity to emphasise that the number of Turkish people facing sanctions under the Anti-Terror Law is rising every day, adding that 45 journalists are currently detained under allegations of having committed crimes on behalf of an illegal organisation in the scope of their journalistic work.

Turkey

Government shuts down access to YouTube; citizens protest Internet restrictions

Turkish Internet law permits authorities to block access to thousands of websites. After blocking access to YouTube in 2008, the Turkish government recently shut down 44 IP addresses that offered alternative ways to access the Google-owned video-sharing website, report the IPS Communication Foundation (BIANET) and Reporters Without Borders (RSF). In response, two thousand people took to the street in protest against Internet restrictions.

Turkey

Two acquitted while free expression violations pile up

Critical journalists, writers and opposition voices in Turkey are being gagged by a barrage of threats. They are facing long prison sentences simply for reporting on any content linked to the Kurdish Workers' Party (PKK), say the IPS Communication Foundation (BIANET) and other IFEX members. Free expression and press freedom violations also include speaking the Kurdish language, carrying out investigative reports critical of private sector companies, and anti-terror laws used to imprison journalists. But amid all the violations, a prominent publisher and an author were acquitted in separate cases.

Israel / Palestine / Turkey

Journalists on raided flotilla speak out; one journalist killed in attack

In the aftermath of Israel's raid on the flotilla delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza on 31 May, journalists released from custody are providing first-hand accounts of abuse, interrogation and confiscation of equipment by the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF), report the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and Reporters Without Borders (RSF). One journalist was killed in the deadly attack. Meanwhile, Israeli authorities have edited and distributed portions of video footage taken from foreign journalists.

Turkey

Editor sentenced to 166 years in prison

A Turkish newspaper editor accused of being a member of the banned Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) was sentenced to 166 years and six months in prison on 13 May, and charged with spreading PKK propaganda, report the IPS Communication Foundation (BIANET) and Reporters Without Borders (RSF). He had been facing an equally absurd 525 years in prison. The disturbing sentence comes on the heels of a new BIANET media monitoring report, which reveals that 216 people, including 69 journalists, were tried in free expression-related cases during the first three months of 2010.

Turkey

Editors face jail terms of 10 to 525 years

A Turkish newspaper editor accused of spreading propaganda for the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) was hit with a prison sentence on 2 March that is close to 11 years, reports the IPS Communication Foundation (BIANET). He and another journalist were also charged for writing critically about public officials. Meanwhile, another editor is facing a 525-year prison sentence for publishing information about the PKK, reports the International Press Institute (IPI). And even outside its borders, Turkish authorities wield influence in curbing press freedom, says BIANET.

Turkey

Security law used to punish editor with 21-year prison sentence

A Kurdish editor was sentenced to over 21 years in prison on 9 February by a Turkish court for publishing reports and pictures of the banned Turkey Kurdistan Worker's Party (PKK), report the Istanbul-based IPS Communication Foundation (BIANET), the International Press Institute (IPI) and Reporters Without Borders (RSF).

Turkey

Editor killed; reporter on trial

A Turkish editor was gunned down last week after leaving his office, report the IPS Communication Foundation (BIANET) and the International Press Institute (IPI). The editor had already received several death threats related to his coverage of local corruption.

Turkey

¡ACTÚE! EXIJA LIBERTAD PARA LA TURCA LEYLA ZANA

Turkey

AGISSEZ ! EXIGEZ LA LIBERTÉ POUR LEYLA ZANA DE TURQUIE

Turkey

TAKE ACTION! DEMAND FREEDOM FOR TURKEY'S LEYLA ZANA

Leyla Zana, a well-known political spokesperson for Kurds in Turkey, was sentenced to 10 years in jail last December for violating the penal code and the anti-terror law in nine different speeches. She is accused of having supported the PKK (Kurdistan Workers' Party) and spreading propaganda. IPS Communication Foundation (BIANET) is asking you to join some of Turkey's highest profile activists and sign a petition for her release.

Turkey

MENORES ENCARCELADOS POR LEYES ANTITERRORISMO

Turkey

DES ENFANTS SONT EMPRISONNÉS EN VERTU DES LOIS ANTITERRORISTES

Turkey

CHILDREN BEING JAILED UNDER ANTI-TERROR LAWS

A 15-year-old boy will spend more than three years in prison for taking part in a protest organised by the Kurdish militant group the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), a Turkish court ruled last month. He's just one of the dozens of children who has been tried or sentenced under anti-terrorism laws, report IFEX members in Turkey the Initiative for Freedom of Expression (Antenna-TR) and IPS Communication Foundation (BIANET).

Turkey

PROTESTAN CONTRA LA CENSURA 412 SITIOS DE INTERNET Y BLOGS

Turkey

412 SITES ET BLOGUES DÉNONCENT LA CENSURE SUR INTERNET

Turkey

412 INTERNET SITES AND BLOGS PROTEST CENSORSHIP

Website owners and users in Turkey got so fed up with Internet censorship that they censored themselves in protest in August. IPS Communication Foundation (BIANET) reported that 412

Turkey

EDITOR TURCO GANA PREMIO LIBERTAD PARA PUBLICAR DE IPA

Turkey

UN ÉDITEUR TURC REMPORTE LE PRIX INTERNATIONAL DE LA LIBERTÉ DE PUBLIER, DÉCERNÉ PAR L'UIE

Turkey

TURKISH PUBLISHER WINS IPA'S FREEDOM TO PUBLISH PRIZE

A Turkish publisher who refused to abandon his campaign for freedom of thought - despite being given a three-year jail sentence - is this year's winner of the International Publishers' Association (IPA) Freedom to Publish Prize.

Turkey

LES MODIFICATIONS APPORTÉES À L'ARTICLE 301 « NE VONT PAS ASSEZ LOIN »

Turkey

ENMIENDAS AL ARTÍCULO 301 "NO VAN SUFICIENTEMENTE LEJOS"

Turkey

ARTICLE 301 AMENDMENTS "DON'T GO FAR ENOUGH"

Reforms made last week to an article of Turkey's penal code that makes "insulting Turkishness" a crime punishable by prison terms do not go far enough, say free expression groups worldwide.

Turkey

ANIVERSARIO DE DINK ES UN RECORDATORIO DE QUE EL PAÍS DEBE REFORMAR EL CÓDIGO PENAL, DICEN MIEMBROS DE IFEX

Turkey

L'ANNIVERSAIRE DE LA MORT DE DINK RAPPELLE À TOUS QUE LE PAYS DOIT RÉFORMER SON CODE PÉNAL, DISENT LES MEMBRES DE L'IFEX

Turkey

DINK'S ANNIVERSARY A REMINDER THAT COUNTRY MUST REFORM PENAL CODE, SAY IFEX MEMBERS

IFEX members in Turkey and around the world commemorated the first anniversary of the murder of Armenian editor Hrant Dink on 19 January, while reminding the Turkish government that true justice for Dink must include urgent reform to its penal code.

Turkey

DOS SENTENCIADOS POR 'INSULTAR EL ESPÍRITU TURCO' MIENTRAS TRIBUNAL EUROPEO FALLA CONTRA TURQUÍA

Turkey

DEUX PERSONNES SONT CONDAMNÉES POUR « INSULTE AU CARACTÈRE TURC », TANDIS QUE LA COUR EUROPÉENNE TRANCHE CONTRE LA TURQUIE

Turkey

TWO SENTENCED FOR 'INSULTING TURKISHNESS' AS EUROPEAN COURT RULES AGAINST TURKEY

On 11 October 2007, an Istanbul criminal court sentenced Arat Dink, editor of the Armenian-Turkish magazine "Agos", and Sarkis Serkopyan, the magazine's licence owner, to one-year suspended prison terms. They were convicted under the notorious penal code Article 301 of "insult to Turkishness" for a 2006 report in which Dink's father, Hrant Dink, had referred to the mass killings and disappearances of Armenians in Turkey around 1915 as genocide.

Turkey

PROPIETARIO DE PERIÓDICO BALEADO; "INSULTAR AL ESPÍRITU TURCO" SIGUE SIENDO UN CRIMEN

Turkey

LE PROPRIÉTAIRE D'UN JOURNAL EST ABATTU; L'« INSULTE AU CARACTÈRE TURC » TOUJOURS UN CRIME

Turkey

NEWSPAPER OWNER GUNNED DOWN; "INSULTING TURKISHNESS" STILL A CRIME

A newspaper owner was shot to death in southeastern Turkey on 22 September, reports IPS Communication Foundation (BIANET).

Turkey

LE PAYS SE SERT DES TRIBUNAUX POUR LIMITER LA LIBRE EXPRESSION

Turkey

PAÍS USA TRIBUNALES PARA LIMITAR LIBRE EXPRESIÓN

Turkey

COUNTRY USING COURTS TO CURB FREE EXPRESSION

Three journalists working at slain editor Hrant Dink's newspaper are back in court this week for "insulting Turkishness," a high-profile example of Turkey continuing to use the judicial system to curb free expression, report IPS Communication Foundation (BIANET) and other press freedom groups.

Turkey

TROIS PERSONNES SONT TUÉES DANS UNE MAISON D'ÉDITION CHRÉTIENNE

Turkey

TRES MUERTOS EN CASA EDITORIAL CRISTIANA

Turkey

THREE SLAIN AT CHRISTIAN PUBLISHING HOUSE

Employees of a Christian publishing house in Turkey were found slain last week, adding to a trend of attacks on free expression in the country, report the International Publishers' Association (IPA) and IPS Communication Foundation (BIANET).

Turkey

BIANET PUBLIE UNE ÉTUDE SUR LA SITUATION DE LA LIBRE EXPRESSION EN TURQUIE

Turkey

BIANET INVESTIGA ESTADO DE LA LIBRE EXPRESIÓN

Turkey

MIEMBROS DE IFEX PIDEN REVOCACIÓN DE LEY PENAL DE DIFAMACIÓN

Turkey

DES MEMBRES DE L'IFEX EXIGENT L'ABROGATION DE LA LOI SUR LA DIFFAMATION CRIMINELLE

Turkey

BIANET SURVEYS STATE OF FREE EXPRESSION IN TURKEY

The IPS Communication Foundation (Bianet) has issued a report on the state of free expression in Turkey in 2006, noting that the number of journalists, publishers and civil society activists prosecuted under Article 301 of the penal code more than doubled compared to the previous year.

Turkey

IFEX MEMBERS DEMAND REPEAL OF CRIMINAL DEFAMATION LAW

Twenty-one IFEX members, led by the International Publishers Association (IPA) and International PEN, have joined the growing number of Turkish and international organisations that are calling for legal reform in the wake of the murder of prominent editor Hrant Dink.

Turkey

LE MEURTRE D'UN JOURNALISTE ÉBRANLE LE PAYS

Turkey

ASESINATO DE EDITOR CONMOCIONA AL PAÍS

Turkey

EDITOR'S MURDER SHOCKS A NATION

Tens of thousands of mourners poured into the streets of Istanbul, Turkey, on 23 January 2007 to mark the death of editor Hrant Dink, whose murder last week stunned the country.

Turkey

LES MEMBRES DE L'IFEX FONT PRESSION EN FAVEUR DE L'ABOLITION DES LOIS PÉNALES SUR LA DIFFAMATION

Turkey

MIEMBROS DE IFEX INSTAN A ABOLICIÓN DE LEYES PENALES DE DIFAMACIÓN

Turkey

IFEX MEMBERS URGE ABOLITION OF CRIMINAL DEFAMATION LAWS

As Turkey seeks to join the European Union (EU), IFEX members are adding their voices to the growing international chorus calling on Turkey to reform its controversial defamation laws in order to meet the EU standards on freedom of expression and freedom of the press

Turkey

UN AUTEUR TURC, DÉFENSEUR DE LA LIBRE EXPRESSION, REMPORTE LE PRIX NOBEL DE LITTÉRATURE

Turkey

AUTOR Y DEFENSOR DE LA LIBRE EXPRESIÓN TURCO GANA PREMIO NOBEL DE LITERATURA

Turkey

TURKISH AUTHOR AND FREE EXPRESSION ADVOCATE WINS NOBEL PRIZE FOR LITERATURE

Author Orhan Pamuk was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature on 12 October 2006. The Writers in Prison Committee (WiPC) of International PEN expressed delight at the choice, calling Pamuk a "writer of extraordinary merit" and "a great advocate for freedom of expression."

Turkey

PEN INTERNACIONAL APOYA ESCRITORES QUE SE ENFRENTAN A JUICIOS

Turkey

LE PEN INTERNATIONAL SOUTIENT DES ÉCRIVAINS QUI RISQUENT D'ÊTRE POURSUIVIS

Turkey

INTERNATIONAL PEN SUPPORTS WRITERS FACING TRIALS

Representatives of International PEN will be traveling to Istanbul, Turkey this week to lend support to dozens of writers who have been charged for "insulting Turkishness" under a provision in the Criminal Code that has been widely criticised for being draconian.

Turkey

LEY CONTRA EL TERRORISMO AMENAZA A PERIODISTAS Y MEDIOS PROKURDOS

Turkey

UNE LOI ANTITERRORISTE MENACE LES JOURNALISTES ET LES MÉDIAS FAVORABLES AUX KURDES

Turkey

ANTI-TERROR LAW THREATENS JOURNALISTS AND PRO-KURDISH MEDIA

Turkey's parliament has approved changes to an anti-terrorism law despite concerns that they will place new limits on free expression, according to IPS Communication Foundation (BIANET) and Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF). The measures must still be ratified by President Ahmet Necdet Sezer.

Turkey

DES PROCUREURS TURCS SE PENCHENT SUR LE CODE PÉNAL ET LA LIBRE EXPRESSION

Turkey

ABOGADOS TURCOS EXAMINAN CÓDIGO PENAL Y LIBRE EXPRESIÓN

Turkey

TURKISH LAWYERS EXAMINE PENAL CODE AND FREE EXPRESSION

The IPS Communication Foundation brought together dozens of lawyers from across Turkey last week for a workshop to discuss the potential impact of the country's new Penal Code on freedom of expression and the media.

Turkey

PERIODISTA BALEADO EN MANIFESTACIONES A FAVOR DE LOS KURDOS

Turkey

JOURNALIST SHOT IN PRO-KURDISH DEMONSTRATIONS

Turkish authorities are being urged to investigate the death of a young journalist in the southeastern city of Diyarbakir, who was shot in the head two weeks ago during violent clashes between Kurdish demonstrators and security forces, report BIAnet, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF).

Turkey

DES NATIONALISTES TURCS CHERCHENT À MUSELER LA LIBERTÉ DE PAROLE

Turkey

NACIONALISTAS TURCOS BUSCAN SILENCIAR LIBERTAD DE PALABRA

Turkey

TURKISH NATIONALISTS SEEK TO MUZZLE FREE SPEECH

In Turkey, political and economic reforms aimed at bringing the country closer to the European Union (EU) have sparked a nationalist backlash that is targeting journalists, writers and academics who favour EU membership, says a new report by the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ).

Turkey

LA CONFÉRENCE DU PEN BRAQUE LES PROJECTEURS SUR LES LOIS PÉNALES EN MATIÈRE DE DIFFAMATION

Turkey

DES JOURNALISTES TURCS SE PARTAGENT UNE RÉCOMPENSE POUR LA DÉFENSE DES DROITS DE LA PERSONNE

Turkey

PERIODISTAS TURCOS COMPARTEN PREMIO DE DERECHOS HUMANOS

Turkey

MIEMBROS DE IFEX MONITOREAN JUICIOS POR DIFAMACIÓN

Turkey

DES MEMBRES DE L'IFEX SUIVENT DE PRÈS LES PROCÈS EN DIFFAMATION

Turkey

IFEX MEMBERS MONITOR DEFAMATION TRIALS

While free expression advocates hailed a Turkish court's decision in January to throw out defamation charges against author Orhan Pamuk, a dozen other court cases involving journalists and publishers who face similar charges are ongoing. This month, IFEX members are helping to focus international attention on their cases by sending observers to the trials.

Turkey

ABANDON DES ACCUSATIONS CONTRE UN AUTEUR

Turkey

RETIRAN CARGOS CONTRA ESCRITOR

Turkey

CHARGES AGAINST AUTHOR DROPPED

A Turkish court has thrown out defamation charges against internationally acclaimed author Orhan Pamuk, reports International PEN's Writers in Prison Committee (WiPC). While the move has been welcomed by free expression advocates, WiPC says another dozen or so writers and journalists are on trial for similar charges in Turkey, a country where criticism of the government carries serious consequences.

Turkey

NUEVO CÓDIGO CASTIGA LIBRE EXPRESIÓN

Turkey

LE NOUVEAU CODE PÉNALISE LA LIBRE EXPRESSION

Turkey

NEW CODE PENALISES FREE EXPRESSION

Turkey's bid to join the European Union has come under renewed criticism following reports that legal reforms aimed at satisfying EU standards on human rights are failing to safeguard freedom of expression and press freedom.

Turkey

UN CARICATURISTE TURC EST HONORÉ POUR SON COURAGE

Turkey

TURKISH CARTOONIST HONOURED FOR COURAGE

Cartoonists Rights Network (CRN) has awarded its 2005 Annual Award for Courage in Editorial Cartooning to Musa Kart of the Turkish daily newspaper "Cumhuriyet".

Turkey

UN EXPERT DE L'OSCE PROPOSE DES MODIFICATIONS AU CODE PÉNAL DE LA TURQUIE

Turkey

EXPERTO DE OSCE PROPONE CAMBIOS AL CÓDIGO PENAL DE TURQUÍA

Turkey

OSCE EXPERT PROPOSES CHANGES TO TURKEY'S PENAL CODE

The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) has urged the Turkish government to amend its new Penal Code to bring it in line with international standards on free expression.

Turkey

TURKISH PUBLISHER HONOURED FOR COURAGE

Abdullah Keskin, a publisher who has been legally persecuted in Turkey for publishing books in Kurdish, has won the 2005 Jeri Laber International Freedom to Publish Award. The annual prize honours book publishers outside the United States who show courage in the face of political persecution and restrictions on freedom of expression.

Turkey

DES JOURNALISTES PROTESTENT CONTRE LE NOUVEAU CODE PÉNAL

Turkey

PERIODISTAS PROTESTAN CONTRA NUEVO CÓDIGO PENAL

Turkey

IFEX MEMBERS PROTEST NEW CRIMINAL CODE

The Turkish government has delayed implementing a controversial new criminal code following vocal opposition from local journalists and international free expression groups who say it will lead to more restrictions on press freedom.

Turkey

DES MEMBRES DE L'IFEX SUIVENT DE PRÈS LES PROCÈS METTANT EN CAUSE DES AFFAIRES DE LIBERTÉ DE PAROLE

Turkey

MIEMBROS DE IFEX VIGILAN JUICIOS DE LIBERTAD DE PALABRA

Turkey

IFEX MEMBERS TO MONITOR FREE SPEECH TRIALS

International free expression groups will be watching Turkey closely in March when a writer and a publisher accused of insulting the government and inciting hatred go on trial. The International Publishers Association (IPA), Norwegian PEN, the Writers in Prison Committee of International PEN (WiPC) and Human Rights Watch will be sending observers to Turkey to monitor the trials of Fikret Baskaya and Ragip Zarakolu.

Turkey

DES MEMBRES DE L'IFEX EXPRIMENT LEUR PRÉOCCUPATION CONCERNANT LA LIBRE EXPRESSION DANS LES DISCUSSIONS AVEC L'UNION EUROPÉENNE

Turkey

MIEMBROS DE IFEX DESTACAN INQUIETUDES SOBRE LIBRE EXPRESIÓN EN MEDIO DE CONVERSACIONES DE UE

Turkey

IFEX MEMBERS HIGHLIGHT FREE EXPRESSION CONCERNS AMIDST EU TALKS

As Turkey took one step closer toward membership in the European Union (EU) with the agreement last week to begin formal accession talks, IFEX members focused attention on the need to continue pressing the Turkish government on its free expression record.

Turkey

IL FAUT DAVANTAGE DE RÉFORMES POUR SAUVEGARDER LA LIBRE EXPRESSION, DIT HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH

Turkey

SE REQUIEREN MÁS REFORMAS PARA SALVAGUARDAR LIBRE EXPRESIÓN: HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH

Turkey

MORE REFORMS NEEDED TO SAFEGUARD FREE EXPRESSION: HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH

Political reforms in Turkey aimed at securing a coveted membership in the European Union have meant improved conditions for freedom of expression, but more needs to be done, says Human Rights Watch.

Turkey

HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH INFORMA DE PROGRESO LENTO EN REFORMAS

Turkey

HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH SIGNALE PEU DE PROGRÈS DANS LES RÉFORMES

Turkey

AGISSEZ! TURQUIE: HAKAN ALBAYRAK

Turkey

L'AMJ ENCOURAGE LE PROGRÈS DE LA LIBERTÉ DE LA PRESSE

Turkey

WAN ALIENTA AVANCES EN LIBERTAD DE PRENSA

Turkey

WAN ENCOURAGES PROGRESS ON PRESS FREEDOM

Turkey's efforts to change its laws in conformity with European standards on freedom of expression can set a positive example for Islamic countries where these rights are outlawed, says the World Association of Newspapers (WAN).

Turkey

Expertos en derechos humanos de ONU visitarán Birmania y Turquía

Turkey

MIEMBROS DE IFEX PARTICIPAN EN CONFERENCIA DE LIBRE EXPRESIÓN EN TURQUÍA

Turkey

LES MEMBRES DE L'IFEX PARTICIPENT EN TURQUIE À UNE CONFÉRENCE SUR LA LIBRE EXPRESSION

Turkey

IFEX MEMBERS PARTICIPATE IN TURKISH FREE-EXPRESSION CONFERENCE

Human Rights Watch, ARTICLE 19 and International PEN will be participating in a conference in Istanbul, Turkey from 23 to 26 October, bringing together local and international human rights groups to assess the state of free expression in the country.

Turkey

PEN CAMPAIGN URGES TURKEY TO GO "ONE STEP FURTHER"

Turkey may finally be on its way to joining the European Union (EU), but freedom of expression in the country is a long way from being respected, says the Writers in Prison Committee of International PEN (WiPC).

Turkey

INTIMIDE LES JOURNALISTES, SELON UN RAPPORT DE LA FIJ

Turkey

CONCENTRACIÓN DE MEDIOS INTIMIDA A PERIODISTAS: INFORME DE FIP

Turkey

MEDIA CONCENTRATION INTIMIDATES JOURNALISTS: IFJ REPORT

Media concentration in Turkey, a country where three companies dominate the press, is under heavier scrutiny this week following the release of an International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) report demanding legal changes to protect press freedom. "The balance of power in the Turkish media industry is heavily weighted in favour of ruthless employers in a country where media concentration has reached intolerable levels," says IFJ.

Turkey

LEY DE "MINIDEMOCRACIA" NO PROTEGE LIBRE EXPRESIÓN

Turkey

LA LOI ?MINI-DÉMOCRATIE? NE SUFFIT PAS À PROTÉGER LA LIBRE EXPRESSION

Turkey

"MINI DEMOCRACY" LAW FAILS TO PROTECT FREE EXPRESSION

Turkey's "Mini Democracy Package," a set of legislative amendments designed to improve the government's commitment to human rights as it seeks to join the European Union, fails to adequately protect free expression, says the Writers in Prison Committee of International PEN (WiPC). The group has released a report on freedom of expression in Turkey analysing the impact of Law No. 4744 on writers, publishers and journalists.

Turkey

SUBISSENT UN PROCÈS À CAUSE D?UN OUVRAGE SUR LA LIBERTÉ D?EXPRESSION

Turkey

ESCRITORES ENJUICIADOS POR LIBRO DE LIBRE EXPRESIÓN

Turkey

WRITERS ON TRIAL FOR FREE-EXPRESSION BOOK

In a case that the Writers in Prison Committee of International PEN (WiPC) says reveals the extent to which Turkish laws are used to suppress legitimate criticism, six writers were to appear in court on 26 March for publishing a book on freedom of expression. The writers - Yavuz Onen, Cengiz Bektab, Mehmet Atilla Maras, Erdal Oz, Etyen Mahcupyan and Sanar Yurdatapan - are among 15 individuals who are being prosecuted for publishing FoX 2000 ("Freedom of Expression 2000"), a book that contains 60 articles which violate various free-speech laws. WiPC says four separate courts are hearing cases related to the articles. The group urges the government to drop the charges against the individuals and calls for a review of the laws under which the defendants are being tried.

Turkey

REFORMAS AL CÓDIGO PENAL ENDURECEN PENAS CONTRA MEDIOS DE COMUNICACIÓN

Turkey

LES RÉFORMES DU CODE PÉNAL RENFORCENT LES PÉNALITÉS CONTRE LES JOURNALISTES

Turkey

PENAL CODE REFORMS TOUGHEN PENALTIES AGAINST MEDIA

A proposed bill aimed at reforming the Penal Code in Turkey will widen the number of press crimes punishable by law, warns Reporters Without Borders (RSF). On 24 January, the Turkish government released details of the proposed bill which is to be introduced in parliament shortly. RSF says a number of provisions in the bill "actually constitute a toughening of the legislation."

Turkey

PRÉSIDENTIEL, UNE LOI RESTRICTIVE SUR LES MÉDIAS RESTE SOURCE D?INQUIÉTUDE

Turkey

RESTRICTIVE MEDIA LAW STILL A CONCERN DESPITE PRESIDENT'S VETO

On 18 June, Turkish President Ahmet Necdet Sezer vetoed a restrictive new media law after it had passed through parliament, reports the International Press Institute (IPI). However, the organisation notes that if parliament passes the law again, without any changes, then the president will be forced to ratify it. IPI says that introduction of the law "could cripple independent media in Turkey and poses a great threat to journalists." Among IPI's concerns are the limited representation of professional journalists on the media governing body (RTÜK), new restrictions on the publication of information on the Internet and dramatic increases in fines for press offences. There are also concerns that the new law will lead to an increase in the concentration of ownership of the Turkish media, notes IPI. For more information, see www.freemedia.at.">http://www.freemedia.at">www.freemedia.at.

Turkey

SIGUE SIENDO CAUSA DE INQUIETUD A PESAR DE VETO PRESIDENCIAL

Turkey

ESCRITOR LIBERADO, OTRO EN PELIGRO ENTRE DISTURBIOS EN PRISIÓN

Turkey

UN AUTRE COURT DES DANGERS TANDIS QUE QUE LES PRISONS SONT EN EFFERVESCENCE

Turkey

WRITER RELEASED, ANOTHER IN DANGER AMID PRISON UNREST

While one prominent Turkish writer, Esber Yagmurdereli, has been released after an international campaign, there is concern over the fate of journalist Serdal Gelir who remains in prison. These developments take place against the backdrop of a large-scale amnesty of prisoners, a hunger strike by inmates over prison reforms, and government efforts to control reporting on violent events in the prisons.

Turkey

APPEL CONJOINT INTERNATIONAL EN FAVEUR DE LA REMISE EN LIBERTÉ D?UN ÉCRIVAIN

Turkey

INTERNATIONAL JOINT APPEAL CALLS FOR WRITER'S RELEASE

Eleven IFEX members and 267 writers from thirteen countries are supporting a joint action to free imprisoned Turkish playwright and human rights lawyer Esber Yagmurdereli. In an appeal to Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit, the groups recount the many years that Yagmurdereli has been in prison for campaigning against human rights violations in Turkey in general and for highlighting the "plight of the Kurds" in Turkey. He was first arrested and sentenced to death in 1978, but his sentence was subsequently converted to a life-long sentence. Yagmurdereli was conditionally released from prison in August 1991, but ever since then, has undergone a series of court hearings due to his work. In October 1997, he was again imprisoned to serve the remainder of his life sentence in addition to a new ten month-sentence for a second "offense," for a total of 22 years and four months. Since this time, Yagmurdereli was temporarily released for health reasons from November 1997 to June 1998, when he was returned to prison.

Turkey

PROYECTO DE LEY PODRÍA LLEVAR A CENSURA, OTRAS NOTICIAS

Turkey

UNE LOI EN CHANTIER POURRAIT CONDUIRE À LA CENSURE; AUTRES NOUVELLES

Turkey

DRAFT LAW COULD LEAD TO CENSORSHIP

The Turkish parliament's Culture and Education Committee recently passed new legislation which requires all publishers and video-cassette producers to apply for an official sticker of approval from the Ministry of Culture, reports ARTICLE 19. Stores and outlets that sell books or videos that do not bear this sticker will face heavy fines and possible closure. The legislation, which currently awaits full parliamentary approval, "allows for the possibility of censorship should the Ministry of Culture decide to withhold or unduly delay approval," says ARTICLE 19.

Turkey

UNE ÉCRIVAINE EST ASSASSINÉE

Turkey

ENCUENTRAN A ESCRITORA ASESINADA

Turkey

WRITER FOUND MURDERED

On 22 January, the body of writer Konca Kuris was found tortured and killed in a mass grave with dozens of other bodies in Konya, 220 miles northwest of Mersin, Turkey, reports the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) based on a New York Times article by Stephen Kinzer. Police also found videotapes documenting the torture Kuris endured leading up to her death. Kuris' fate had been unknown ever since she was kidnapped in July 1998. Kuris' body was one of 33 bodies that were found buried "at properties used by Hezbollah (Party of God), a group dedicated to overthrowing the secular Turkish state and establishing an Islamic republic in its place," reports Kinzer. Kinzer clarifies that Hezbollah "is not believed to be connected to the similarly named group that has fought against the Israeli occupation of southern Lebanon."

Turkey

CONTINÚAN VIOLACIONES A DERECHOS HUMANOS

Turkey

LES VIOLATIONS DES DROITS DE LA PERSONNE SE POURSUIVENT

Turkey

HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS CONTINUE

Despite Turkey’s recent amnesty bill that has freed a number of writers and journalists, human rights abuses in Turkey continue, report Human Rights Watch (HRW), Reporters san frontières (RSF) and Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ). The amnesty bill, passed on 28 August and signed by

Turkey

NUMEROSOS PERIODISTAS Y ESCRITORES ARRESTADOS

Turkey

ARRESTATION DE NOMBREUX JOURNALISTES ET ÉCRIVAINS

Turkey

NUMEROUS JOURNALISTS AND WRITERS ARRESTED

Numerous journalists and writers have been arrested and detained in Turkey recently, report several IFEX members. On 10 June, Istanbul-based British journalist Andrew Finkel was charged with "insulting state institutions" under Article 159 of the Turkish Penal Code, reports the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ). The charge stemmed from a February 1998 article Finkel wrote for the daily newspaper "Sabah" about Turkey's ongoing military operations against the Kurds in the southeast. Another hearing is scheduled for 16 November. Finkel reports for "Time" magazine and "The Times of London" and also appears on CNN. If convicted, he faces up to six years in prison.

Turkey

PERIODISTAS TORTURADOS, DICE INFORME; FINALIZA JUICIO DE GÖKTEPE

Turkey

DES JOURNALISTES SONT TORTURÉS, SELON UN RAPPORT; LE PROCÈS DE GÖKTEPE PREND FIN

Turkey

JOURNALISTS TORTURED, SAYS REPORT; GÖKTEPE TRIAL ENDS

Fewer journalists were tortured in Turkey in 1998 than the year before, but it still occurred with impunity, says a report by Reporters sans frontières (RSF). RSF records nine cases of journalists tortured in 1998 and 16 in 1997. RSF reports, "Although the Ankara government has signed European documents proscribing torture, it is still practised on a large scale all over Turkey. As well as being frequently used by the police against common law prisoners, it is also practised against political activists, human rights campaigners and journalists." In its report, RSF says, "It is becoming more common for torture and ill-treatment to be exposed and condemned in Turkey, and for legal proceedings to be started against the police officers responsible. But the outcome of such cases depends to a large extent on the political willingness of the Turkish authorities to prosecute and punish members of the forces of law and order."

Turkey

DOS PERIODISTAS ENCARCELADOS MUEREN; CIERRAN MED TV

Turkey

TWO JAILED JOURNALISTS DIE; MED TV CLOSED

Two jailed journalists reportedly died in Turkey in March, according to Reporters sans frontières (RSF) and the Writers in Prison Committee (WiPC) of International PEN. According to RSF, on 27 March, Çetin Günes, a columnist with the far-left periodical "Hedef" (Target), died at the Ankara hospital after succumbing to a serious heart condition. He had been transferred from the Ankara prison while on a hunger strike. Günes was detained for questioning in July 1998, and was sentenced last year to a 16-month prison term for "separatist propaganda" (in accordance with Article 8 of Anti-terrorist Law 3713.) The charge was related to an article published in September 1994 in the far-left monthly "Sosyalist Alternatif", entitled "The role and characteristics of a militant of the Turkish revolution." The journalist had suffered from a heart condition for some time, says RSF.

Turkey

DÉCÈS DE DEUX JOURNALISTES EMPRISONNÉS; FERMETURE DE "MED TV"

Turkey

DES JOURNALISTES SONT ARRÊTÉS ET BATTUS

Turkey

PERIODISTAS DETENIDOS Y GOLPEADOS EN ZONA DE EMERGENCIA

Turkey

JOURNALISTS DETAINED AND BEATEN IN EMERGENCY ZONE

Local journalists were beaten in Diyarbakir in the emergency zone of Ohal, in the south-east of Turkey, and foreign journalists were banned from even entering it, according to Reporters sans frontières (RSF). Foreign journalists attempting to enter the zone were detained, reports RSF, noting, "These arrests are taking place just one week after the arrest of Abdullah Ocalan, leader of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), and at a time when numerous arrests are taking place within the ranks of Kurdish militants and human rights workers." On 23 February, Ibrahim Atesoglu, a cameraman with the private television channel NTV, and Adnan Simsek, a reporter with the Ihlas (IHA) press agency, were beaten by police officers on their way to the scene of confrontations between police and shopkeepers who had organized a general strike to show solidarity with Ocalan.