CHP MP Pays Visit to Academic Üstel and Journalist Düzkan in Prison

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The main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) MP Utku Çakırözer has visited journalist Ayşe Düzkan and Prof. Füsun Üstel at the Eskişehir Women's Open Prison.

Düzkan was sentenced to 18 months in prison for having acted as the editor-in-chief of the daily Özgür Gündem, which was shut down due to Statutory Decree No. 657. Several journalists acted as the editor-in-chief of the newspaper in a solidarity campaign.

Prof. Füsun Üstel has been imprisoned for having signed the declaration titled, "We Will Not be a Party to This Crime," becoming the first Academic for Peace to be sent behind bars.

Çakırözer said that the "unjust execution" of the sentence against Üstel whose applications are pending at the Ministry of Justice and the Constitutional Court should be suspended.

"On the day of the feast, we demand freedom for all journalists, intellectuals who are in prisons," he added.

Remarking that the judicial reform should be a starting point for the freedom of press and freedom of expression, Çakırözer said that the main reason for the decline of the freedom of press and expression in Turkey is not the laws but the "oppressive interpretation" of the laws.

"Main reason for that is the politicization of the judiciary," Çakırözer noted.

"Düzkan could be released"

Journalist Düzkan could be released on probation before the feast, but "the necessary documents were sent to Hendek Prison instead of Eskişehir Prison," Çakırözer informed.

He also said that Prof. Üstel made two applications at the Ministry of Justice and the Constitutional Court. Üstel requested the ministry to send her to an open prison and applied to the top court on the ground of rights violations, requesting the suspension of the execution of her sentence and to be released.

"Most basic human rights are violated"

The CHP MP said that Turkey should end sentencing the intellectuals who express their opinions.

"Düzkan's and Üstel's freedom of press and expression, the most basic human rights which are guaranteed by international laws and the Constitution are being violated.

"They immediately need to come together with their freedom, families, readers, students. We demand freedom not only for them but for all journalists, writers, drawers, intellectuals who are in prison on this day of the feast." (PT/VK)