freedom of expression

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OSCE Urges Turkey to Stop Prosecution of Journalist Şener

Hrant Dink murder

OSCE Urges Turkey to Stop Prosecution of Journalist Şener

Haraszti, media freedom representative of the OSCE, has urged Turkey to drop the case against journalist Şener and to reform laws restricting freedom of expression.

Günlük Newspaper Receives 2-Month Publication Ban

Press Freedom

Günlük Newspaper Receives 2-Month Publication Ban

An Istanbul court has convicted the daily newspaper of "spreading PKK propaganda." According to journalist Zarakolu, Kurdish media is targeted frequently.

10 June 2009 Erol Önderoğlu

Journalist Acquitted after Using Kurdish Letters Q, W and X

Publication in Kurdish

Journalist Acquitted after Using Kurdish Letters Q, W and X

A Gaziantep court has acquitted journalist Yetişgen of violating an old law concerning the exclusive use of the Turkish alphabet.

8 June 2009 Erol Önderoğlu

Journalist Şener Faces 28 Years Imprisonment for Book

Dink Murder

Journalist Şener Faces 28 Years Imprisonment for Book

Milliyet journalist Şener, who has written a book concerned about the murder of journalist Hrant Dink, faces up to 28 years imprisonment. Police officers have filed complaints against him.

7 June 2009 Emine Özcan

Writer Gürsel on Trial for Novel

Freedom of Expression

Writer Gürsel on Trial for Novel

"A novel does not commit crimes," says Gürsel, but he faces a trial for the novel "Allah's Daughter".

26 May 2009 Bawer Çakır

"Children Being Punished Like Armed Militants"

Freedom of Expression

"Children Being Punished Like Armed Militants"

At the sixth Gathering in Istanbul, Human Rights Watch rapporteur Sinclair Webb expressed worry about the treatment of children in court.

26 May 2009 Erol Önderoğlu

11 Witnesses of Oppression Spoke at Istanbul Gathering

Freedom of Expression

11 Witnesses of Oppression Spoke at Istanbul Gathering

At the sixth Istanbul Gathering, rights activists from Turkey and other countries discussed freedom of expression.

26 May 2009 Erol Önderoğlu

FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION

ECHR Condems Turkey

Özer was given prison sentences with regard to two articles published in his Çağrı magazine.

FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION

Another Case Against Author Gürsel

During today's hearing, prosecution demands acquittal of Gürsel. Yet, another case is brought against his latest book on allegations of inciting hatred.

BIA Media Monitoring Report

In Three Months 110 People Tried for Their Thoughts

According to the quarterly Bia Media Monitoring Report, 26 people are on trial under Article 301.

4 May 2009 Erol Önderoğlu

Sixth Gathering in Istanbul for Freedom of Expression

On 23 and 24 May, an international group of rights activists concerned with the freedom of expression will gather in Istanbul for the sixth time.

One-Month Bans for Azadiya Welat and Özgür Mezopotamya Newspapers

The Istanbul 13th Heavy Penal Court has handed down one month publication bans for the two newspapers for allegedly spreading PKK propaganda.

14 April 2009 Erol Önderoğlu

Acquittal for Conscientious Objector’s Statement

An Ankara court has acquitted Mustafa Karayay, who faced three years imprisonment for criticising military service.

13 April 2009 Erol Önderoğlu

Kurdish Politician Faces Prison for “Insult”

Previously sentenced to tree-planting for insulting the PM, politician Alınak now faces a new trial.

9 April 2009 Erol Önderoğlu

Islamists Attack Students in Istanbul: 5 Injured

Students handing out flyers near the Istanbul University Beyazit campus were attacked with sticks and bottles when they criticised the AKP. 5 students were injured.

2 April 2009 Bawer Çakır

Acquittal for Journalists Reporting Secret Service Bugging

Acquittal for Journalists Reporting Secret Service Bugging

Journalists Gökçer Tahincioğlu and Kemal Göktaş faced a prison sentence for reporting that police, secret service and the gendarmerie had been given permission to listen in to all phone conversations. They have been acquitted.

1 April 2009 Erol Önderoğlu

Two Journalists Face Prison for Alleged "Terrorist Propaganda"

Günlük daily columnist Sarısözen and managing director Çiçekçi faces up to 7.5 years in prison for an article which discusses how and who makes "terrorist propaganda."

24 March 2009 Erol Önderoğlu

"Terrorist Propaganda" Case Against Birgün Daily

Hakan Tahmaz, who interviewed a rebel PKK commander and daily Birgün, which published the article will be tried with "terrorist propaganda". Three people face 3 years in prison if convicted.

23 March 2009 Erol Önderoğlu

University Students Acquitted on 301 Amid MoJ Approval for Trial

Minister of Justice Şahin had approved a trial for 10 university students on Article 301 on grounds they protested a police operation to the prisons. They are acquitted in court.

“Freedom for Leyla Zana” Campaign Launched

A group of rights activists has started a campaign against the 10-year prison sentence handed down to Kurdish politician Leyla Zana.

17 March 2009 Erol Önderoğlu

BIA Media Monitoring Report

435 “Though Crimes” in Turkey in 2008

In 2008, 82 people were tried under Article 301, 44 under the Anti-Terrorist Law. Freedoms of press and expression have been damaged by political polarisation, the lack of a solution to the Kurdish issue and the intolerance of criticism.

16 March 2009 Erol Önderoğlu

Seven Journalists Targeted and Threatened in One Month

Three journalists were attacked during a DTP meeting in Adana on March 7th. In February, three others were assaulted during protests in Diyarbakır. An MP allegedly threatens a journalist in Tarsus.

10 March 2009 Erol Önderoğlu

Journalist NGOs Protest Against Arrest of Two

Cumhuriyet daily's Balbay and online Toplumsal Haber columnist Aydın are taken under custody for a second time in relation to the Ergenekon case. TGC, ÇGD and TGS express concern over government pressure on the media.

7 March 2009 Erol Önderoğlu

Kurdish Politician Sentenced to Plant Trees for Criticizing PM

Mahmut Alınak is condemned by court for his statement against PM Erdogan's visit to his hometown Kars. The court rules that his remarks are "insulting".

4 March 2009 Erol Önderoğlu

Four Convictions for “Lightbulb Tayyip” Slogans

A court in Bursa has handed out deferred prison sentences to four people for shouting slogans about Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

4 March 2009 Erol Önderoğlu

One Acquittal for Kurdish Song, One More Court Case to Go

Broadcasting editor Arslan of Radio Dünya says that a case brought against the station for playing the folk song Mihemendo two years ago has ended in acquittal. But another case is still in court.

25 February 2009 Erol Önderoğlu

Second Court Case for Turkish Publisher of “God Delusion”

Following a first acquittal eleven months ago, publisher Karaslan now faces a second court case for the publication of Dawkin’s “The God Delusion”.

24 February 2009 Erol Önderoğlu

Two Newspapers Convicted for Different “Crimes”

Milliyet newspaper’s responsible editor Çakkalkurt has been sentenced to imprisonment for violating a military media ban on the PKK attack in Dağlıca. Posta reporter Cumalı has been convicted of violating the privacy of a person.

16 February 2009 Erol Önderoğlu

Article 301: 309 People Convicted in Two Years

Minister of Justice Şahin told parliament that 1,042 people were tried under Article 301 in 2006 and 2007. 11,720 people were tried under the Anti-Terrorism Law; 17,510 more were accused of “membership in an illegal organisation and 6,582 people of leading such organisations.

16 February 2009

Dissident Local Journalist on Trial Rejects Judge

11 February 2009 Erol Önderoğlu

Writer Demirer awaiting Court’s 301 Decision

The trial against writer Temel Demirer has been stalled by an appeal for cancellation to an administrative court. Demirer spoke of a “murderous state” when referring to the assassination of journalist Hrant Dink.

9 February 2009 Erol Önderoğlu

Conscientious Objector Özkan Faces Court

Doğan Özkan read a press briefing of the Human Rights Association in front of Selimiye Barracks in Üsküdar in 2004. Now he is facing court for discouraging people from doing military service.

5 February 2009 Bawer Çakır