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Turkey Human Rights Foundation (TİHV) Chair, Şebnem Korur Fincancı and Reporters Without Borders (RSF) Turkey Representative and bianet rapporteur, Erol Önderoğlu have issued a joint press statement at Özgür Gündem’s building following their release.
They were arrested for serving as Editor-in-Chief in Özgür Gündem daily over "terrorism propaganda" due to some articles published in the daily.
In the statement, it has been emphasized that solidarity will grow stronger with the arrests.
The press statement ended with the question “Where is Hurşit Kütler”.
“Solidarity has grown with our arrest”
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Şebnem Korur Fincancı started her speech saying people can access to news via social media and alternative news sources, yet there is no news source except mainstream media in prison, which hinders right to information.
She sent greetings to the women in prison.
“Being derailed of freedom is in no way acceptable but it has turned into a joyful situation inside [the prison]. We saw that solidarity with Özgür Gündem has grown in waves.
“We were arrested by government’s attitude that neglects freedom of expression and this struggle. We all should be honored of this solidarity until not a single political prisoner is left.
“We will express our thoughts freely and continue to fight until democracy and peace prevail in these lands”.
“We will continue to monitor right violations in Turkey”
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Erol Önderoğlu expressed that they have been carrying out a struggle with the right defenders for years.
“We haven’t begun to defend justice with the Justice and Development Party (AKP) term. We were doing that in militaristic periods and February 28* too. We’ve continued in AKP term. We have tried not to be the sort of people who act in partisan feelings with narrow-minded interests.
“Right now, we show in your presence how big a threat each one of us is facing. We’ve also witnessed how social minorities, other cultural groups, dissidents feel under threat. Our arrest after the [arrest of] academics has become another sign to shed light on these widespread threats”.
Emphasizing that Ahmet Nesin must be released immediately, Önderoğlu said “Ahmet is a friend who has a strong sense of humor, we couldn’t find much time to feel sad”.
“From now on, we as RSF will be monitoring journalism and developments in Turkey through bianet’s right based journalism perspective”, concluded Önderoğlu.
149 probes into Özgür Gündem in 6 months
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Of Özgür Gündem daily editors, Ahmet Birsin expressed that Ahmet Nesin as well must be released as soon as possible.
Birsin remarking the whole world saw crackdowns on freedom of the press in Turkey with the latest arrests said, “We hope the government too will see that”.
Birsin shared information as to probes launched into the Özgür Gündem.
According to this, 149 probes have been launched into the Özgür Gündem based on crimes related to Anti-Terror Law in 2016 only. While 110 of the 194 probes have turned into lawsuits, non-prosecution was issued on six of them. From July 2015 to June 2016, 47 probes have been launched based on charges of “Insulting Turkish Nation, Republic of Turkey, state organs and institutions” and “Insulting the President”. (ÇT/TK)
* The 1997 military memorandum (Turkish: 28 Şubat, "28 February"; also called Post-modern darbe, "Post-modern coup") in Turkey refers to the decisions issued by the Turkish military leadership on a National Security Council meeting on 28 February 1997. Thismemorandum initiated the process that precipitated the resignation of Islamist prime minister Necmettin Erbakan of the Welfare Party, and the end of his coalition government.
Photos: Çiçek Tahaoğlu
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