Epress.am News from Armenia
A lack of press freedom continues to dog Turkey, according to an advance copy of the European Commission 2010 Progress Report on Turkey, reports the Hürriyet Daily News & Economic Review.
“Open and free debate has continued and expanded. However, prosecutions and convictions of journalists, writers, publishers and politicians for the expression of nonviolent opinions has continued,” the draft report said.
The report, whose official version will be released Tuesday, also said Turkey’s approach to ethnic, linguistic and religious issues remains restrictive.
“The use of any language other than Turkish in political life still falls under the law on elections and political parties. The courts have been issuing contradictory decisions in cases against Kurdish politicians,” the document said.