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Turkey can't be democratic without a free press
by Alison Bethel McKenzie and Steven M. Ellis
May 11, 2011 12:00AM
IN a study released in early April, the Organisation for Security and
Co-operation in Europe's representative on freedom of the media, Dunja
Mijatovic, reported 57 journalists were in prison in Turkey, mostly on
the basis of the country's anti-terrorism laws.
With 11 more Turkish journalists also facing charges, the total number
soon could double the records of Iran and China, each of which
reportedly held 34 journalists in prison in December last year.
Indeed, Mijatovic estimated another 700 to 1000 proceedings against
journalists are ongoing.
Such a situation is intolerable anywhere, but particularly in a
democracy that seeks European Union membership and that recognises
freedom of expression as a fundamental right.
Turkey's behaviour calls into question not only its desire but also
its ability to commit to the values underlying the EU.
Journalists linked to Kurdish or Marxist organisations have been
targeted regularly under Turkey's anti-terrorism laws, and the OSCE
study found they faced some of the harshest punishments. One Kurdish
journalist was sentenced to 166 years in prison. Others face -- wait
for it -- 3000-year sentences if convicted.
The relative lack of scrutiny of Turkey's treatment of journalists by
many in the West has changed, however, owing to the recent waves of
arrests in the so-called Ergenekon case.
Numerous military officers and academics have been implicated in that
case, which involves an alleged plot by secular ultra-nationalists to
overthrow the Turkish government.
The probe has now turned increasingly towards journalists.
One of those accused of participating in the plot is the daily
newspaper Milliyet's investigative reporter, Nedim Sener, whose work
includes a book about links between security forces and the 2007
murder of Turkish-Armenian journalist Hrant Dink.
The International Press Institute named Sener a World Press Freedom
Hero last year. Incarcerated following his arrest last month, he
reportedly stands accused of belonging to an armed terrorist
organisation seeking to overthrow the government.
Another journalist under fire is Ahmet Sik, who already faced
prosecution for co-writing a book criticising the government's
crackdown on the Ergenekon plot. Sik was said to be working on a book
about the alleged influence of an Islamic group within Turkey's police
force, which authorities last month ordered confiscated before it
could be printed.
A common thread in all the cases targeting journalists is that the
alleged facts are shrouded in secrecy and the authorities have
declined to release any evidence of crimes or criminal organisations.
Worse still, they have declined even to inform those brought before
courts, sometimes in secret, or their attorneys of the charges they
face.
Indeed, journalists caught in this Kafkaesque affair can expect to
spend years behind bars before being allowed to respond to the
accusations against them. A climate of fear escalates with each raid
and arrest.
Meanwhile, Turkish authorities affirm the country's commitment to
press freedom, even as they impugn the motives of those who exercise
it. Given that so many journalists have been jailed and that all of
them have been critical of the government, it is difficult to avoid
the conclusion that journalists are being targeted because of their
work.
Such concern has been voiced not only by press freedom groups such as
IPI and journalists such as the Freedom for Journalists Platform (an
umbrella group representing local and national media organisations in
Turkey), but also by respected international institutions.
The US mission to the OSCE and the European Commission have joined
Mijatovic in calling on Turkey's authorities to stop their
intimidation of the media immediately and to uphold basic OSCE media
freedom commitments. The UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human
Rights has called on Turkey to guarantee freedom of opinion and
expression.
Even Turkey's President, Abdullah Gul, recently called for
"prosecutors and courts to be more diligent in pursuing their
responsibilities, and to act in a way that does not harm the honour
and rights of the people".
Turkey plays a pivotal, bridge-building role between East and West,
and the country has been praised for demonstrating that democracy can
coexist with Islam. But the arrests of so many journalists are eroding
this image.
The right of journalists to cover sensitive topics, including national
security, is fundamental. Those who do not engage in criminal activity
should not face arrest, imprisonment or any other form of harassment
or intimidation for doing their job.
Those accused of criminal activity must be given due process and a
fair trial. Evidence must be provided and the accused must be
presented with the charges they face and the opportunity to defend
themselves.
Far from being defamatory subversives, journalists who investigate and
criticise their government's actions demonstrate true patriotism
because no democracy can survive without the open and independent
assessment of public policies that journalists provide.
If Turkey, a leading regional power with an ancient cultural heritage,
truly wishes to be welcomed into Europe, to take its rightful place on
the world stage and, indeed, to remain a democracy, its leaders must
not hold freedom of the press in contempt.
Alison Bethel McKenzie is director of the International Press
Institute. Steven M. Ellis is IPI press freedom adviser.
Turkey can't be democratic without a free press
by Alison Bethel McKenzie and Steven M. Ellis
May 11, 2011 12:00AM
IN a study released in early April, the Organisation for Security and
Co-operation in Europe's representative on freedom of the media, Dunja
Mijatovic, reported 57 journalists were in prison in Turkey, mostly on
the basis of the country's anti-terrorism laws.
With 11 more Turkish journalists also facing charges, the total number
soon could double the records of Iran and China, each of which
reportedly held 34 journalists in prison in December last year.
Indeed, Mijatovic estimated another 700 to 1000 proceedings against
journalists are ongoing.
Such a situation is intolerable anywhere, but particularly in a
democracy that seeks European Union membership and that recognises
freedom of expression as a fundamental right.
Turkey's behaviour calls into question not only its desire but also
its ability to commit to the values underlying the EU.
Journalists linked to Kurdish or Marxist organisations have been
targeted regularly under Turkey's anti-terrorism laws, and the OSCE
study found they faced some of the harshest punishments. One Kurdish
journalist was sentenced to 166 years in prison. Others face -- wait
for it -- 3000-year sentences if convicted.
The relative lack of scrutiny of Turkey's treatment of journalists by
many in the West has changed, however, owing to the recent waves of
arrests in the so-called Ergenekon case.
Numerous military officers and academics have been implicated in that
case, which involves an alleged plot by secular ultra-nationalists to
overthrow the Turkish government.
The probe has now turned increasingly towards journalists.
One of those accused of participating in the plot is the daily
newspaper Milliyet's investigative reporter, Nedim Sener, whose work
includes a book about links between security forces and the 2007
murder of Turkish-Armenian journalist Hrant Dink.
The International Press Institute named Sener a World Press Freedom
Hero last year. Incarcerated following his arrest last month, he
reportedly stands accused of belonging to an armed terrorist
organisation seeking to overthrow the government.
Another journalist under fire is Ahmet Sik, who already faced
prosecution for co-writing a book criticising the government's
crackdown on the Ergenekon plot. Sik was said to be working on a book
about the alleged influence of an Islamic group within Turkey's police
force, which authorities last month ordered confiscated before it
could be printed.
A common thread in all the cases targeting journalists is that the
alleged facts are shrouded in secrecy and the authorities have
declined to release any evidence of crimes or criminal organisations.
Worse still, they have declined even to inform those brought before
courts, sometimes in secret, or their attorneys of the charges they
face.
Indeed, journalists caught in this Kafkaesque affair can expect to
spend years behind bars before being allowed to respond to the
accusations against them. A climate of fear escalates with each raid
and arrest.
Meanwhile, Turkish authorities affirm the country's commitment to
press freedom, even as they impugn the motives of those who exercise
it. Given that so many journalists have been jailed and that all of
them have been critical of the government, it is difficult to avoid
the conclusion that journalists are being targeted because of their
work.
Such concern has been voiced not only by press freedom groups such as
IPI and journalists such as the Freedom for Journalists Platform (an
umbrella group representing local and national media organisations in
Turkey), but also by respected international institutions.
The US mission to the OSCE and the European Commission have joined
Mijatovic in calling on Turkey's authorities to stop their
intimidation of the media immediately and to uphold basic OSCE media
freedom commitments. The UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human
Rights has called on Turkey to guarantee freedom of opinion and
expression.
Even Turkey's President, Abdullah Gul, recently called for
"prosecutors and courts to be more diligent in pursuing their
responsibilities, and to act in a way that does not harm the honour
and rights of the people".
Turkey plays a pivotal, bridge-building role between East and West,
and the country has been praised for demonstrating that democracy can
coexist with Islam. But the arrests of so many journalists are eroding
this image.
The right of journalists to cover sensitive topics, including national
security, is fundamental. Those who do not engage in criminal activity
should not face arrest, imprisonment or any other form of harassment
or intimidation for doing their job.
Those accused of criminal activity must be given due process and a
fair trial. Evidence must be provided and the accused must be
presented with the charges they face and the opportunity to defend
themselves.
Far from being defamatory subversives, journalists who investigate and
criticise their government's actions demonstrate true patriotism
because no democracy can survive without the open and independent
assessment of public policies that journalists provide.
If Turkey, a leading regional power with an ancient cultural heritage,
truly wishes to be welcomed into Europe, to take its rightful place on
the world stage and, indeed, to remain a democracy, its leaders must
not hold freedom of the press in contempt.
Alison Bethel McKenzie is director of the International Press
Institute. Steven M. Ellis is IPI press freedom adviser.