Epress.am News from Armenia
Journalists throughout Europe and in Turkey will stage activities across the continent Friday to demand freedom for incarcerated Turkish members of the press in a rare show of international solidarity, according to the president of a local journalists’ union.
“This struggle is not only for liberating imprisoned journalists, but also includes requests for amendments to legal provisions that are the basis of thousands of inquiries and claims,” Ercan İpekçi, president of the Turkish Journalists’ Union, or TGS, told the Hürriyet Daily News & Economic Review.
Since 2007, a variety of activities carried out under the title “Stand Up for Journalism” have been arranged by the European Federation of Journalists, or EFJ. Each year on Nov. 5, EFJ protests the hardships endured by journalists, including the suppression of editorial freedom, the monopolization of the media, political pressure and various other violations of press freedom.
The “Set Turkish Journalists Free” campaign was launched in May by journalist organizations in Turkey who requested the liberation of all imprisoned journalists, including those who have been arrested as part of the Ergenekon trial in Turkey.
Campaigners are fighting against provisions in the Turkish Penal Code and the Anti-Terror Law that they say restrict free expression and the freedom of the press.
“There are imprisoned journalists or journalists on trial all over the world. That is why all press organizations and journalists should speak out against these violations and acts of discrimination. All journalists will continue to work under the threat of censorship as long as the current laws remain in place,” İpekçi said, adding that his group hoped to extend its message to all segments of society.
İpekçi said journalists in Turkey and throughout Europe would issue press statements in front of Turkish embassies across the continent as part of their activities.
Journalists’ unions that are members of EFJ will each send a letter to Turkish embassies in their countries, requesting an end to the restrictions on free expression and the freedom of the press in Turkey, İpekçi said.
Activities will be staged by representatives from 23 journalists’ organizations in Ankara’s Güven Park.