Testimony Days for jailed journalists
Testimony Days for jailed journalists
Freedom for Journalists Platform organized “Testimony Days” to demand the release of journalists who are accused of being “murderer” and “harasser” by the government. Relatives and colleagues of jailed journalists gave testimony in front of Istanbul Courthouse in the first day of the “Testimony Days”.
The event in front of the courthouse was joined by recently released journalist Ahmet Þýk, Evrensel paper Editor in Chief Fatih Polat, ESP Chair Figen Yüksekdað, ÖDP Ýstanbul Provincial Chair Avni Gündoðan, EMEP Ýstanbul Provincial Chair Güven Gerçek, a large number of journalists and relatives and colleagues of jailed journalists. "Free press, free society" was the main slogan chanted by demonstrators.
Giving information about the “Testimony Days” to be practiced every day, Turkish Journalists' Union (TGS) President Ercan Ýpekçi called attention to the situation of journalists and journalism in Turkey. Ýpekçi stated that there are currently 102 jailed journalists in Turkey, among them 15 being sentenced, and noted that around 180 journalists have been put in prison in the last three years. Sentence of some 100 journalists have been reprieved for five years, remarked Ýpekçi and reminded that nearly 600 journalists face legal actions filed against them, with 250 journalists tried without arrest.
Ipekçi pointed out that the Turkish Parliament remains insensitive to the case of jailed journalists and laws that restrict the freedom of press and expression. Ipekçi also remarked that media organizations are subject to censorship and self-censor under financial pressures they face.
Calling on the Parliament to take immediate steps to remove the obstacle which prevents people from learning truths, Ýpekçi on behalf of demonstrators demanded the amendment of relevant articles in Turkish Penal Code and the removal of relevant articles in Anti-Terror Law.
Ipekçi’s sppech was followed by the testimony of relatives and colleagues of four jailed journalists Kenan Kýrkaya, Sedat Þenoðlu, Zeynep Kuray and Sevcan Atak.
DÝHA Ankara Representative Kenan Kýrkaya’s wife Newroz Kýrkaya stated that her husband was taken into custody as a result of house raid by 20 police officers on the grounds of his interview with Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) co-chair Selahattin Demirtaþ and the news he reported to Roj Tv. DÝHA editor Ýbrahim Aslan underlined that Kýrkaya was arrested for political reasons on the grounds of reaching out the people who fight for their rights to mother language, culture and identity.
Atýlým paper Editorial Coordinator Sedat Þenoðlu’s lawyer Gülizar Tuncer pointed out that Þenoðlu was taken into custody and arrested many times so far because of his socialist stance in journalism. Tuncer reminded that Þenoðlu faces heavy imprisonment on the basis of statements by police officers.
The next testimony was given for Fýrat News Agency (ANF) and Birgün paper reporter Zeynep Kuray who was accused of “performing works on behalf of an illegal organization” on the basis of Kuray’s statement “I make news for my people, not for money.”
Demonstrators also bore testimony for Özgür Halk editor Sevcan Atak who was sentenced to seven years and six months in prison on 18 June 2010 for allegedly “being a member of an illegal organization”.
The event in front of the courthouse was joined by recently released journalist Ahmet Þýk, Evrensel paper Editor in Chief Fatih Polat, ESP Chair Figen Yüksekdað, ÖDP Ýstanbul Provincial Chair Avni Gündoðan, EMEP Ýstanbul Provincial Chair Güven Gerçek, a large number of journalists and relatives and colleagues of jailed journalists. "Free press, free society" was the main slogan chanted by demonstrators.
Giving information about the “Testimony Days” to be practiced every day, Turkish Journalists' Union (TGS) President Ercan Ýpekçi called attention to the situation of journalists and journalism in Turkey. Ýpekçi stated that there are currently 102 jailed journalists in Turkey, among them 15 being sentenced, and noted that around 180 journalists have been put in prison in the last three years. Sentence of some 100 journalists have been reprieved for five years, remarked Ýpekçi and reminded that nearly 600 journalists face legal actions filed against them, with 250 journalists tried without arrest.
Ipekçi pointed out that the Turkish Parliament remains insensitive to the case of jailed journalists and laws that restrict the freedom of press and expression. Ipekçi also remarked that media organizations are subject to censorship and self-censor under financial pressures they face.
Calling on the Parliament to take immediate steps to remove the obstacle which prevents people from learning truths, Ýpekçi on behalf of demonstrators demanded the amendment of relevant articles in Turkish Penal Code and the removal of relevant articles in Anti-Terror Law.
Ipekçi’s sppech was followed by the testimony of relatives and colleagues of four jailed journalists Kenan Kýrkaya, Sedat Þenoðlu, Zeynep Kuray and Sevcan Atak.
DÝHA Ankara Representative Kenan Kýrkaya’s wife Newroz Kýrkaya stated that her husband was taken into custody as a result of house raid by 20 police officers on the grounds of his interview with Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) co-chair Selahattin Demirtaþ and the news he reported to Roj Tv. DÝHA editor Ýbrahim Aslan underlined that Kýrkaya was arrested for political reasons on the grounds of reaching out the people who fight for their rights to mother language, culture and identity.
Atýlým paper Editorial Coordinator Sedat Þenoðlu’s lawyer Gülizar Tuncer pointed out that Þenoðlu was taken into custody and arrested many times so far because of his socialist stance in journalism. Tuncer reminded that Þenoðlu faces heavy imprisonment on the basis of statements by police officers.
The next testimony was given for Fýrat News Agency (ANF) and Birgün paper reporter Zeynep Kuray who was accused of “performing works on behalf of an illegal organization” on the basis of Kuray’s statement “I make news for my people, not for money.”
Demonstrators also bore testimony for Özgür Halk editor Sevcan Atak who was sentenced to seven years and six months in prison on 18 June 2010 for allegedly “being a member of an illegal organization”.
