TGS, TİHV, İHD Denounce Access Block on bianet and Other Websites

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The Journalists Union of Turkey (TGS), the Human Rights Foundation of Turkey (TİHV) and the Human Rights Association (İHD) have released statements on the order of the Ankara 3rd Penal Judgeship of Peace for an access block on 136 web addresses, including news portals and social media accounts.

TGS: Freedom of the press suffered another wound

"This order, based on such a thing like 'preventing crime' has no place in the law.

"The first thing that comes to the head of those who cannot accept democracy and freedom of speech has been attacking the people's right to information through censorship for years.

"Freedom of the press, which is already at rock bottom in Turkey, has suffered another wound after this verdict based on claims that are irrelevant to reality rather than tangible information.

"It has been confirmed with this decision made disregarding the basic principles of law that every organization that writes things that some people don't like is under threat.

"The verdict resembles the sense of revenge rather than a sense of justice. There is not an offense committed, there is not a

"Any news organization cannot be penalized this way, especially bianet, which has been working to deliver true news to the people for 19 years. For this reason, the block should immediately be lifted."

TİHV and İHD: People's right to information is prevented

In a joint statement, the TİHV and the İHD said the block order should immediately be lifted and added that such practices are a "direct attack on freedom of expression and freedom of the press."

Saying that the block order is "a new addition" to practices of the penal judgeships of peace that violates freedom of expression, the statement noted that 245 thousand websites and 150 thousand URL addresses are currently blocked in Turkey, citing a report by the Association for Freedom of Expression.

"This kind of practices are attacks, oppression and censorship directly against freedom of expression and freedom of the press. These practices mean the people's right to information is disregarded and prevented.

"The judiciary implements the principle of the rule of law through its decisions. It has to be the most effective protector of human rights through the law. But 136 websites facing access bans at once means that freedom of expression and communication (press) is violated especially through the judiciary and this does not comply with democracy.

"This kind of orders are against democracy. They are against human rights. The access block on bianet and other websites should be lifted. Freedom of expression and the press should be respected. (AÖ/VK)