Campaign by Amnesty International Turkey for Freedom of Expression

Click to read the article in Turkish

Amnesty International Turkey has launched a campaign entitled "Freedom to Journalists" and raised concerns about the imprisoned journalists in Turkey.

Sharing a letter addressed to Minister of Justice Abdülhamit Gül in the petition campaign, the organization has made a call to the Minister "to release all journalists and media workers arrested for practicing their professions and put an end to similar arrests."

The letter has also contained the following statements:

"Turkey is now the country with the highest number of arrested journalists. I am deeply concerned that journalists face charges as per groundless anti-terror laws because they use their right to freedom of expression.

"I am calling you to exercise your full authority for the protection of freedom of press and expression, respect for the right to a fair trial and prevention of inmates from being held in inhumane prison conditions."

Click here to sign the petition (Turkish)

BİA Media Monitoring: 123 imprisoned journalists

According to the BİA Media Monitoring Report for October-November-December 2018, 123 journalists are currently behind bars in Turkey. In this three-month period, 36 journalists have become suspects and defendants for "insulting President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan."

The report has also shown that 233 journalists and media representatives have been facing life imprisonment aggravated for 10 times, one life imprisonment, 2 thousand 552 years and 10 months in prison and 3 million 928 Turkish Lira (TRY) in pecuniary and non-pecuniary damages in total. (AS/SD)