“YouTube Must Be Available in 2 Days”

Upon an individual application by Gönenç Gürkaynak, YouTube’s attorney in Turkey, Ankara 4th Administrational Court lifted the ban ruling on YouTube  

Bianet interviewed Kerem Altıparmak, assistant professor of law at Ankara University, regarding the ruling.

“First of all, the ruling of the administrational court is very late. Therefore, YouTube must be available immediately, in two days. Otherwise, the Constitutional Court must issue a ruling like it did for the Twitter ban.”

Why is YouTube banned?

On March 27, Gölbaşı Peace Criminal Court issued a ban on YouTube as its users leaked  a video “that otherwise must have remained top secret” regarding Turkey’s foreign policy on Syria prior to March 30 elections.

On April 4, on the other hand, the court reconsidered its ruling, finding that it violated the freedom of expression. Even though Gölbaşı Peace Criminal Court uplifted the ban the same, Gölbaşı Assize Court issued a ban on YouTube right away.

In addition to that, Turkey’s Telecommunication Authorities (TIB) published  a recommendation on YoutTube, saying that it committed a “crime against Atatürk” according to Law No 5651 Article 8 Clause 1/b.

Upon that, academicians Kerem Altıparmak and Yaman Akdeniz submitted individual applications to the Constitutional Court , objecting the court ruling and administrational decisions respectively.

The access to YouTube is restricted in Turkey for 41 days. (EA/BM)

* Click here to read the article in Turkish.