200 journalists and human rights advocators from Turkey and abroad discussed press freedom and freedom of expression at the Freedom for Journalists Congress that marked World Press Freedom Day on 3 May in Istanbul. Journalists and representatives of international professional organizations also allocated one session to freedom to information.
The Freedom for Journalists Congress touched upon the situation of journalists in prison and international solidarity for this part of the struggle was assured. Concern was expressed about existing laws and the comprehension of judgements that might bring many more journalists to jail.
In a final declaration, the participants of the congress called for the following measures to help Turkey improve the country's rear position in the world press freedom index:
- Journalists in prison should be released immediately.
- All murders of journalists must be solved in all aspects; all facts and perpetrators must be revealed. Impunity as it could be observed in the context of the killing of Turkish-Armenian journalist Hrant Dink must be brought to an end.
- Provisions of the Anti-Terror Law (TMY) that restrict press freedom and freedom of expression must be abrogated.
- More than 20 articles of the Turkish Criminal Law (TCK) that are restricting press freedom and freedom of expression must be either lifted or essentially amended in line with contemporary, democratic and universal criteria as defined by international agreements.
- Laws that abolish the freedom to information by enabling telephone tapping should be amended immediately as well as provisions that justify internet bans.
- The European Court of Human Rights considers all punishments based on opinions and writings that prevent journalists from fulfilling their profession as violations of press freedom. Therefore, courts must refrain from aggravating punishments on the grounds of the provision related to "crimes committed via the press or the media" as stipulated for several articles. Courts should also refrain from administrative monetary fines that exceed the economic strength of the media institution.
- Necessary amendments must be made in the Criminal Procedure Law (CMK) to guarantee the right to a fair trial and to stop pre-trial detention from being transformed into punishment. The Freedom for Journalists Congress urge to abolish "special authority courts" that are contrary to universal law principles. The applications of special authority courts constitute the biggest obstacles before fundamental rights and freedoms in general and press freedom and freedom of expression in particular.
- The seizure of documents and tools used by detained or prosecuted journalists must stop. The journalists make use out of these documents and tools as the necessary means of professional practice. Seized documents and equipment should be given back to the journalists.
- The congress underlines that guaranteeing work security and the right to unionized association for journalists is an essential part of press freedom. Copyright must be guaranteed by law for journalists who make news in the internet.
- The Freedom for Journalists Platform (GÖP) follows up trials against journalists; delegations sent by the Platform visit journalists in prison. The congress emphasizes the importance of this sort of support and the continuation of solidarity. (EÖ/VK)
