Joint Letter by 18 Organizations to UN: Address Crackdown Against Journalists in Turkey
* Photograph: Article 19
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Article 19, an international human rights and freedom of expression organization, sent a joint letter to the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council on September 3 and raised "concerns for Turkey's ongoing crackdown on journalists and media outlets."
In the letter jointly undersigned by 18 organizations, a call has been made to all member and observer states "to intervene during the 42nd regular session of the Human Rights Council in September 2019, in the forum of the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention."
Reminding the UN that "138 journalists and media workers are currently imprisoned in Turkey", the organizations have further stressed that "hundreds more are on trial on manifestly unfounded terrorism charges."
The organizations have indicated, "The letter, signed by 18 human rights and journalists' organisations, calls on delegations to speak out and address Turkey's repressive campaign against freedom of expression."
"The signing organisations also stress that the Human Rights Council should not ignore such a blatant violation of Turkey's international human rights law obligations and commitments", the organizations have emphasized further.
The full text of the letter is as follows:
'Situation of freedom of expression is critical'
"Ahead of the 42nd regular session of the UN Human Rights Council (HRC), we, the undersigned human rights and journalists' organisations, call on your delegation to speak out and address the Turkish government's repressive campaign against freedom of expression.
"The Council must not continue to ignore such a blatant violation of Turkey's international human rights law obligations and commitments. The situation for freedom of expression in Turkey is now critical, as outlined in a joint submission on freedom of expression to the UPR of Turkey by civil society.
"The right to hold and express dissenting opinions and to access information has been systematically undermined by the Turkish government in an intensive crackdown on journalists and independent media, academics, civil society, oppositional voices and the judiciary.
'Human rights situation has steeply declined'
"Since 2016, the human rights situation in Turkey has steeply declined, facilitated by the misuse of sweeping emergency powers and the concentration of executive power.
"At the time of writing, at least 138 journalists and media workers are imprisoned, with hundreds more currently on trial facing lengthy sentences on manifestly unfounded terrorism charges.
"At least 170 media outlets have been closed down over claims they spread "terrorist propaganda". Access to thousands of websites and platforms has been blocked after a government decree authorising removals and blockages of websites without judicial oversight.
'All member and observer states must speak out'
"This catalogue of human rights violations is an affront not only to the Turkish Constitution and international obligations, but also flies in the face of the standards this Council has adopted, in particular on the Safety of Journalists (HRC Res 39/6) and on the Internet and Human Rights (HRC Res 38/7).
"In a follow-up report to the HRC in June 2019, the Special Rapporteur on freedom of expression informed the Council that there had been a "lack of effective efforts by the State to implement the recommendations made" following his November 2016 country visit.
"In several areas, he found that the government was taking action "directly contrary" to the recommendations made ahead of Turkey's upcoming UPR, the time to put the government on notice that it must change course, or face an intensification in international scrutiny is now.
"All Member and Observer States committed to media freedom, democracy and the rule of law, must speak out during the Council's 42nd Session."
The undersigned international organizations
Article 19, P24: Platform for Independent Journalism, International Press Institute, IFEX, PEN International, German PEN, Swedish PEN, Danish PEN, English PEN, Norwegian PEN, International Federation of Journalists, European Federation of Journalists, Index on Censorship, European Centre for Press and Media Freedom, Cartoonists Rights Network International, Global Editors Network, Articolo 21, Vienna South East Europe Media Organisation (HA/SD)