International Press Institute calls for journalist Sedef Kabaş's immediate release

* Photo: Başar Akbulut Yazar / AA

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The International Press Institute (IPI) global network and the IPI's Turkey National Committee have called for the immediate release of journalist Sedef Kabaş, who has been arrested over the weekend for "insulting the President". The IPI has stressed that with Kabaş's arrest, the number of journalists in prison in Turkey rose to 38, according to the IPI figures.

Commenting on Kabaş's arrest, IPI Turkey National Committee Chair Emre Kızılkaya has underlined that there can be no democracy when the press is silenced and briefly stated the following:

Harmless news or undisturbing comments can be made in any country in the world. But in developed democracies, freedom of the press and expression includes the right to receive shocking and disturbing news and comments as well, as has been repeatedly recognized by the European Court of Human Rights. In such democracies, it is expected that public officials must demonstrate a higher tolerance for criticism.

"In its 72 years of operation, IPI has recorded countless press freedom violations in Turkey where politicians tried to silence journalists.

"But journalists have not stayed silent, nor have they given up. All those politicians who endangered democracy for their own sake and position left, but the passion for journalism among new generations has remained infinite. The important thing is solidarity among journalists and readers' appreciation of quality journalism without falling into the trap of cheap politics."

'Abolish the law on insulting the President'

IPI Deputy Director Scott Griffen has also condemned the arrest of Kabaş. "Journalists, and indeed all citizens, have the right to criticize their elected officials, even if that criticism is shocking or disturbing to some. That is how democracies work", he has said, briefly adding:

"As a signatory to the European Convention on Human Rights, Turkey is bound to respect these long-established principles.

"We call for the immediate release of Sedef Kabaş and the dropping of all charges against her, and we urge Turkey to abolish its law on insulting the president in line with international human rights standards.

We are also disturbed by RTÜK's decision to punish TELE1, which continues the council's pattern of disproportionately targeting independent television broadcasters in Turkey. RTÜK, too, must respect the fundamental right of freedom of expression, and we call on RTÜK to rescind both the fine and the broadcast ban against TELE1.

(HA/SD)