Reporters Sans Frontieres (RSF) report: Despite the announcement of democratic reforms prosecutions for beliefs and opinions are still systematically and severely punished, especially Kurds, Islamists and far left.

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) is deeply concerned about the draft Supreme Radio and Television Board Bill currently being debated by the Turkish Parliament.

Writers in Prison Committee (WiPC): The effect of such wide scale judicial action on the right to free expression in Turkey is extremely worrying.

Publisher Tas, is due to appear in court on charges of publishing propaganda against the indivisible unity of the countryWAN

Sugden: By leaving most of these laws on the books, parliament has effectively passed the buck to the courts.

Ersen Korkmaz, columnist and editor of local daily Demokrat Iskenderun prosecuted for his column criticisng Turkeys foreign policy. Charged with violating Article 159 of the Penal Code, Korkmaz is faced with 18 months in prison.