He expressed particular concern about the risk of self-censorship by journalists against the authority of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan
“Freedom of expression is at risk in Turkey,” the Council of Europe announced today, which expressed particular concern over the risk of self-censorship by journalists against the power of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Journalists, human rights defenders and civil society operate “in an extremely hostile environment, marked by systematic pressures and prosecutions,” writes Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Dunia Mijatovic in a memorandum on freedom of expression and media.
Turkey is one of the 46 member countries of the Council of Europe, the main body for the defense of human rights on the European continent.
The deterioration of freedom of expression has reached “very alarming levels and is characterized by numerous flagrant violations” of fundamental freedoms, Mijatovic complains.
“Damage caused to media freedom and freedom of expression is leaving ever deeper traces, leading to self-censorship of journalists and independent media,” adds the commissioner.
Mijatovic, whose term ends on April 1, notes “a constant and concerted pressure” aimed at “silencing the critical voices” of journalists, as well as lawyers.
This Bosnian Council of Europe official laments obstacles to freedom of assembly, citing “a brutal police crackdown,” “mass arrests,” and criminal prosecutions of peaceful protesters.
She particularly deplores the bans on demonstrations by women, defenders of the LGBTI community or the environment.
“It is particularly sad that the march organized in Istanbul on the occasion of International Women’s Day has been banned for eight years,” he complains as March 8 approaches.
Mijatovic sees an “existential danger to the rule of law” due to the lack of independence of the judicial system.
It calls on Ankara to release prisoners of opinion, review its restrictive laws and implement the rulings of the European Court of Human Rights.
Turkey maintains strained relations with the Council of Europe. Last October, the organization awarded the Vaclav Havel Prize to imprisoned Turkish midwife Osman Kavala, a black sheep of President Erdogan.
Ankara’s refusal to release him has brought against it an infringement procedure that could even lead to its expulsion from the Council of Europe.
Source :Skai
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