freedom of expression

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‘I Thought I Was in Wonderland’

EREN KESKİN ON 'JUDICIAL REFORM STRATEGY'

‘I Thought I Was in Wonderland’

Speaking to bianet regarding the Judicial Reform Strategy, rights defender lawyer Eren Keskin has said, “They said zero-tolerance to torture, but we have just met a 5-month pregnant inmate today, who was subjected to naked torture in prison."

31 May 2019 Ayça Söylemez

Journalist Kadri Gürsel Released on Probation

Journalist Kadri Gürsel Released on Probation

Imprisoned yesterday for the execution of his 30-month prison sentence upheld by the court of appeal, journalist Kadri Gürsel has been released from Metris Prison later in the evening as his request for probation has been accepted.

Assaulters of Journalist Sabahattin Önkibar Released as Well

Assaulters of Journalist Sabahattin Önkibar Released as Well

Four suspects previously taken into custody for having assaulted journalist Sabahattin Önkibar have been released on probation. While five journalists have been attacked in the last two weeks, the assaulters of Demirağ and Çelik were also released.

‘Freedom of Speech in Prison’ Book by CİSST Association

‘Freedom of Speech in Prison’ Book by CİSST Association

“Freedom of Speech in Prison” book prepared by Korkut and Demirbaş from the Civil Society in the Penal System (CİSST) Association focuses on the restrictions imposed on prisoners’ freedom of speech and the recommendations to overcome them.

‘Failure to Give Inmates Newspapers and Magazines Violates Freedom of Expression’

CONSTITUTIONAL COURT RULING

‘Failure to Give Inmates Newspapers and Magazines Violates Freedom of Expression’

The Constitutional Court has ruled that the newspapers and magazines not given to inmates are arbitrarily selected, the selection varies depending on the charges brought against the inmates and prisons, which, in turn, violates freedom of expression.

Constitutional Court: Access Ban on Yarkadaş’s Tweet Violates Freedom of Press, Expression

Constitutional Court: Access Ban on Yarkadaş’s Tweet Violates Freedom of Press, Expression

Pronouncing its verdict regarding an access ban on a tweet by journalist and former CHP MP Yarkadaş, who shared a news article from Gerçek Gündem website, the Constitutional Court has ruled that his freedom of press and expression has been violated.

15 May 2019 Ayça Söylemez

Journalists Zeynep Kuray and İrfan Tunççelik Released on Probation

Journalists Zeynep Kuray and İrfan Tunççelik Released on Probation

Detained while reporting on the protests staged to raise concerns over hunger strikes, journalists Zeynep Kuray and İrfan Tunççelik have been released on probation. HDP Bakırköy Co-Chair Ugiş, who was also among the detained, has been arrested.

Ayşenur Zarakolu Freedom of Thought and Expression Awards Granted for 17th Time

Ayşenur Zarakolu Freedom of Thought and Expression Awards Granted for 17th Time

The 17th Ayşenur Zarakolu Freedom of Thought and Expression Awards have been granted to Prof. Dr. Şebnem Korur-Fincancı, Ayşe Düzkan and Osman Kavala, “who have suffered oppression due to their freedom of expression activities.”

Journalist Cansu Pişkin Sentenced to 10 Months in Prison

Journalist Cansu Pişkin Sentenced to 10 Months in Prison

Journalist Cansu Pişkin, the former reporter of daily Evrensel, has been sentenced to 10 month in prison for her news article entitled “Special Prosecutor for Boğaziçi University Students.” The announcement of the verdict has been deferred.

8 May 2019 Hikmet Adal

Who Controls the Media in Turkey?

MEDIA OWNERSHIP MONITOR - 2018 UPDATE

Who Controls the Media in Turkey?

The 2018 updates of the "Media Ownership Monitor (MOM) Project" by bianet and Reporters Without Borders Germany have been completed. Findings show that transparency in ownership and political affiliations has deteriorated in the last three years.

6 May 2019 Sinem Aydınlı

‘Social Media’ Operation in Bursa

‘Social Media’ Operation in Bursa

16 people have been detained in “a social media operation” in Bursa.

Constitutional Court: Freedom of Expression and Press of bianet Violated

Constitutional Court: Freedom of Expression and Press of bianet Violated

Announcing its ruling on an access block imposed on a bianet news about plagiarism by former Minister of National Education Ömer Dinçer, the Constitutional Court has ruled that the freedom of expression and press of bianet has been violated.

Prosecutor Demands Journalist Hasan Cemal be Penalized for ‘Terror Propaganda’

Prosecutor Demands Journalist Hasan Cemal be Penalized for ‘Terror Propaganda’

Announcing his opinion as to the accusations in the lawsuit filed against journalist Hasan Cemal due to an article that he wrote three years ago, the prosecutor has demanded that Cemal be penalized for “propagandizing for a terrorist organization.”

16 April 2019 Tansu Pişkin

Journalists İshak Yasul and Hicran Urun Released

Journalists İshak Yasul and Hicran Urun Released

Journalists İshak Yasul and Hicran Urun from the closed Özgürlükçü Demokrasi newspaper have been released in their fourth hearing. Yasul and Urun have been behind bars since April 2018.

‘Fikret Başkaya Charged with Propagandizing for an Organization That He Did Not Name’

‘Fikret Başkaya Charged with Propagandizing for an Organization That He Did Not Name’

Writer Başkaya had his first hearing in the lawsuit filed against him for “terror propaganda” due to his article. His attorney Kanat said, “He is charged with propagandizing for an organization whose name is not mentioned in his article even for once.”

21 March 2019 Ayça Söylemez

Supreme Court of Appeals Upholds Acquittal for ‘Freedom to Öcalan’ Petition

Supreme Court of Appeals Upholds Acquittal for ‘Freedom to Öcalan’ Petition

The 8th Penal Chamber of the Supreme Court of Appeals has upheld the verdict of acquittal given by the local court in a lawsuit filed for “terror propaganda.” Speaking to bianet, lawyer İnayet Aksu has defined the ruling as “just and libertarian.”

15 March 2019 Tansu Pişkin

From Didem Soydan to Saturday Mothers: I Apologize to You on Their Behalf

From Didem Soydan to Saturday Mothers: I Apologize to You on Their Behalf

After a verdict of non-prosecution was given for the investigation launched against model Soydan due to her social media posts about Saturday Mothers/People, she has said, “If they made you sad with these news, I apologize to you on their behalf.”

Constitutional Court: ‘Murderer Police’ Slogan is Disturbing Criticism, Not Personal Insult

Constitutional Court: ‘Murderer Police’ Slogan is Disturbing Criticism, Not Personal Insult

The Constitutional Court has ruled that three university students who chanted the slogan “Murderer police will be brought to account” while being taken into custody uttered these remarks with the intention of criticism, not personal insult.

13 March 2019 Ayça Söylemez

ECtHR: Systematic Lawsuits Against Journalists Aim to Cause Fear, Chilling Effect

ECtHR: Systematic Lawsuits Against Journalists Aim to Cause Fear, Chilling Effect

Announcing its judgement on Gürbüz, the ECtHR has indicated, “The number of prosecutions and the length of proceedings could be regarded as a form of harassment such as to intimidate journalists and discourage them from publishing articles.”

12 March 2019 Ayça Söylemez

Journalist Yasin Kobulan Sentenced to 1 Year, 6 Months, 22 Days in Prison

Journalist Yasin Kobulan Sentenced to 1 Year, 6 Months, 22 Days in Prison

Mezopotamya Agency reporter Yasin Kobulan has been sentenced to 1 year, 6 months and 22 days in prison on charge of “repeatedly propagandizing for a terrorist organization.” The pronouncement of the verdict has been suspended by the court.

8 March 2019 Tansu Pişkin

‘We are Together Against the Attempt to Eliminate Civil Society’

JOINT STATEMENT BY RIGHTS DEFENDERS

‘We are Together Against the Attempt to Eliminate Civil Society’

Holding a joint press conference, rights defenders have stated that “they stand together against the attempts to eliminate independent civil society.” They have also raised concerns about the indictment against Osman Kavala and 15 civil society representatives.

27 February 2019 Evrim Kepenek

Journalist Zehra Doğan Released: Sise Bingöl Says ‘I Will Stand Upright on My Feet’

Journalist Zehra Doğan Released: Sise Bingöl Says ‘I Will Stand Upright on My Feet’

Journalist and painter Zehra Doğan has been released from prison: “Children were calling after me, saying ‘Zehra, Zehra, draw us the pictures of trees and birds.’ Sise Bingöl cried a lot. I will never forget them. I will keep on writing and talking about them.”

25 February 2019 Evrim Kepenek

Trial of Bülent Şık Begins: 'I Fulfilled My Conscientious Responsibility'

Trial of Bülent Şık Begins: 'I Fulfilled My Conscientious Responsibility'

The first hearing of the case of Assoc. Prof. Bülent Şık, who is prosecuted for announcing the findings of a cancer research study by the Ministry of Health, will be held today.

7 February 2019 Hikmet Adal

Court Abides By Constitutional Court’s Ruling, Lifts Access Block on bianet News

Court Abides By Constitutional Court’s Ruling, Lifts Access Block on bianet News

In the wake of Constitutional Court’s verdict that an access block imposed on a news report on bianet “violated freedom of expression”, the İstanbul 7th Penal Court of Peace has abided by the verdict and ruled that the access block in question shall be lifted.

31 January 2019

‘Half of Journalists Put on Trial Behind Bars’

REPORT BY MEDIA AND LAW STUDIES ASSOCIATION

‘Half of Journalists Put on Trial Behind Bars’

The Media and Law Studies Association (MLSA), which monitored over 90 court sessions in 71 trials with the International Press Institute (IPI) in the second half of 2018, has released its “Justice Monitoring Report: Freedom of Expression Trials in Turkey”.

23 January 2019 Hikmet Adal

Investigation Against Lawyer Because of ‘Son-in-Law Speaks, Dollar Rises’ Tweet

Investigation Against Lawyer Because of ‘Son-in-Law Speaks, Dollar Rises’ Tweet

An investigation has been opened against lawyer Karavelioğlu because he said, “The son-in-law speaks, the dollar rises” in a tweet. Saying that he did not make a financial gain and hence the crime has not occurred, Karavelioğlu added, “There are no lies in what I said.”

22 January 2019 Ayça Söylemez

Journalist Seda Taşkın Released from Prison: ‘I am Back to My News’

Journalist Seda Taşkın Released from Prison: ‘I am Back to My News’

Journalist Seda Taşkın, who was behind bars for almost a year, has been released from prison. Speaking to bianet, Taşkın has said, “I feel a bittersweet happiness and this bittersweet feeling will continue until all imprisoned journalists in Turkey are released.”

18 January 2019 Evrim Kepenek

Campaign by Amnesty International Turkey for Freedom of Expression

Campaign by Amnesty International Turkey for Freedom of Expression

Launching a campaign of “Freedom to Journalists”, Amnesty International Turkey has made a call to Minister of Justice Abdülhamit Gül to “exercise his authority for the protection of freedom of press and expression and respect for the right to a fair trial.”

17 January 2019

'Voice' of Inmates Banned

'Voice' of Inmates Banned

'Sesimiz' (Our Voice) magazine, which is published by inmates, has been banned because some comic strips were deemed objectionable. The glass plates on the cell doors have been covered with iron to prevent inmates from speaking to each other.

16 January 2019 Ayça Söylemez

ECtHR Convicts Turkey in Case of 'Seventh-day Adventists’

ECtHR Convicts Turkey in Case of 'Seventh-day Adventists’

Pronouncing its judgement regarding the Foundation of Seventh-day Adventists, whose request for being included in the official register was rejected, the ECtHR has sentenced Turkey to pay damages for “violating the freedom of assembly and association.”

16 January 2019

Prosecutor Asks Tunç “Destruction in Sur”

Prosecutor Asks Tunç “Destruction in Sur”

Musician Ferhat Tunç, who was taken into custody at the İstanbul Atatürk Airport on his way back from Germany, has been released after deposing to the Diyarbakır Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office via Audio and Visual Information System (SEGBİS).

14 January 2019 Ayça Söylemez

Interior Ministry to Watch Social Media on Election Day

Interior Ministry to Watch Social Media on Election Day

The Ministry of Interior has stated in a circular that social media posts on election day will be monitored by “combating cyber crimes teams” and added that “the international observers will be treated with hospitality.”

14 January 2019