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CAMPAIGN: SET TURKISH JOURNALISTS FREE

NEW! WATCH THE VIDEO ON PRESS FREEDOM IN TURKEY
Produced for world press freedom day 2012 by the NVJ, the Dutch affiliate of the EFJ

To date, over 700 individuals and organisations around the world have joined the Set Turkish Journalists Free campaign thank to your support. They have sent a petition letter to the Turkish Prime Minister, Mr Recep Tayyip Erdogan, calling for the release of the jailed journalists in Turkey. To date, over 100 Turkish journalists (waiting for an updated list) still remain in prison with many facing the threat of imprisonment.

Please keep supporting our campaign and share your solidarity with the jailed colleagues in Turkey. Join our campaign and send your e-petition today! And forward this email to your contacts.

Your union can help: "adopt" a journalist in jail
As part of the EFJ's campaign for journalists in Turkey to be set free, we are encouraging our affiliates to "adopt" a journalist in prison. This involves showing solidarity and support for an individual journalist until his/her release by following news on his/her case, corresponding with the journalist in jail and highlighting the case to your members.
EFJ unions in Belgium, France, UK, Ireland, Sweden, Hungary, Germany, Spain and Italy have already been linked with journalists. Workplace-based groups of the Swedish and Norwegian union have also asked to take part in the scheme in jointly with the management of their media organisations.
More than 90 other detained journalists could benefit from a direct pairing in this way.
If your union is willing to "adopt" a jailed journalist in Turkey, please email to efj@ifj.org and we will work with the Turkish Journalists Syndicate to identify a suitable case and provide you with a name and contact address.
Pictures and information of the "adopted" journalists can be found on our facebook page.

What can you do to help free jailed Turkish journalists?

Join our campaign now by sending the e-card to the Prime Minister, Mr Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Click HERE to send.
Send a letter of protest to the Turkish Embassy at your country asking for the immediate release of the jailed journalists. Download your sample letter HERE now.
The EFJ visited the Turkish Embassy in Brussels, Belgium, on the Stand Up for Journalism Day on 5 November. A letter requesting the immediate release of the 50 jailed journalists was handed over to the permanent representative of the Turkish Embassy. You can also join us or launch your campaign at your country.

Turkish Authorities Attack TGS, Largest IFJ and EFJ Affiliate in Turkey

20 March 2012 - Updated on 26 April 2012

Türkiye Gazeteciler Sendikasi (TGS), the largest IFJ and EFJ affiliate in the country, is playing a leading role in the Press Freedom Forum, the campaign to release over 100 journalists currently in jail in Turkey. Read more

The International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), which represents 175 million workers through its 305 affiliated organisations support the EFJ and the IFJ by sending a letter to Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Read this letter

Updated on 26 April 2012

Štefan Füle, the European Commissioner responsible for enlargement and European neighbourhood policy, responded to EFJ's letter. Read the letter of Štefan Füle.

OSCE Media Freedom Representative Calls for Legal Reforms in Turkey

2 April 2012

According to an updated analysis on imprisoned journalists in Turkey presented by Dunja Mijatović, Representative on Freedom of the Media, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) called for immediate reform of the nation's media laws. "The number of imprisoned journalists in Turkey has significantly increased in the past year," Mijatović said. "This is worrisome and demands the immediate attention and swift action of the authorities."
Ninety-five journalists are in prison today, up from 57 a year ago, according to the OSCE study, which is an update of a similar analysis published last year. Read the study and the list of jailed journalists.

Associate the debate on arrested journalists in Turkey with a "rape" incident

22 March 2012

A serious dispute is going on between the Turkish government and media organizations. The government claims the majority of the names on the 102-person list prepared by the Turkish Journalists Union (TGS) have been arrested because of crimes that are unrelated to journalism. "We do not monitor journalists who have been involved in judicial crimes; we merely focus on those colleagues of ours who are prisoners of thought and who have been arrested because of their journalistic activities," TGS president Ercan İpekçi said. Read more

Launch of the Adoption Campaign in Italy at the Senate, Parliamentary Committee on Human Rights

22 March 2012

Pietro Marcenaro, President of the Commission of Human Rights of the Italian Senate thanked the EFJ for this very important initiative. He said that to help get journalist out of prison is to help the people of Turkey. Turkey is an increasingly important global player with a great economical success in recent years. The EU must put pressure on Turkey to get on the right democratic path.
Another senator declared that we must be like disturbing mosquitos and only stop biting, when all the journalists will be out of prison. He proposed a European day, in which journalists throughout Europe would write articles in all media on the deplorable situation in turkey. There were about 40 participants, three TV stations and in summary, a real success. Ercan Ipekci, President of the EFJ affiliate in Turkey, received there a lot of applause. Read more on the FNSI website

Jailed Turkish Journalist Speaks about his Conditions of Detention

6 March 2012

The EFJ received a letter as a testimony about conditions of detention in high security prison Silivri in Turkey. The Turkish journalist who wrote it wants to remain anonymous because of the next trial.
Extract: "In Turkey, there are many kinds of prisons. Silivri, where we are imprisoned, is called L-type, high-security prison, where one of the most severe measures is the isolation policy. (...) Read more

Turkish journalist Moved by International Support

28 February 2012

The Turkish journalist Barış Terkoğlu, in jail since Februari 2011, was adopted by the Belgian Union of Journalists (AGJPB). Today Barış Terkoğlu sent a letter to AGJPB from Silivri prison and thanked them for their support :

Dear Friends,

You gave me the courage and strength to end my words in my court defense (...)

Read more

Commissioner Füle responds to EFJ's call for press freedom in Turkey

2 February 2012

Štefan Füle, the European Commissioner responsible for enlargement and European neighbourhood policy, responded to EFJ's call for press freedom in Turkey. (See EFJ letter dated in December 2011).

See the full reply from Commissioner Füle here

Report on International Press Freedom Mission to Turkey, 2011

Download the report HERE.

Campaigning for Nedim Sener - Send Your Petition Now!

“I was ready to pay the price to reveal the truth.” When Turkish author, investigative reporter, and International Press Institute (IPI) World Press Freedom Hero Nedim Şener published his 2007 book on the murder of Turkish-Armenian journalist Hrant Dink, he understood the peril faced by journalists in Turkey.

Mr. Şener is now paying that price. Last week, he spent his 250th day in prison, though he has not been convicted of any crime. Next week, on 22 November, he is scheduled to face a first hearing on apparently baseless charges that he belongs to an armed terrorist group.

This March, Mr. Şener was arrested and accused of being part of the so-called Ergenekon plot, in which an alleged clandestine ultra-nationalist organisation with ties to military and security forces is said to have plotted to use terrorism to overthrow the government. The investigation against Mr. Şener is being carried out by the same law-enforcement figures whom he accused of neglect in his book on Hrant Dink.

Send your petition now and support Nedim and many other journalists in Turkey who were put behind bars for doing their jobs.

Turkey: International Journalists and Media Organisations Renew Demand to Release Imprisoned Journalists

(24.11.2011) A mission of international journalists and media organisations - including the European Federation of Journalists and its affiliate, the Türkiye Gazeteciler Sendikası (TGS - Journalists' Union of Turkey), and a delegation of the German Deutscher Journalisten Verband (DJV), the International Press Institute (IPI), Reporters Without Borders (RSF), and the European Association of Journalists (AEJ) - on a visit to Turkey from 22-24 November to witness the deteriorating state of press freedom in the country today denounced the fact that 64 journalists are still in jail.

"We are impressed by the fact that the journalistic community in Turkey is now joining forces to fight for media freedom and the release of their jailed colleagues," the delegation said. "The solution of the problem lies in Turkey. As representatives of international organisations, we strongly support our colleagues and urge the authorities to talk to them and find democratic solutions on the issue of press freedom. The climate of fear and self-censorship that we observed must be put to an end." (Read more)

Platform for Media Freedom Meets Families of Jailed Journalists

(23.11.2011) The Freedom for Journalists Platform (GÖP) met with families of imprisoned journalists at the seat of the Turkish Journalists' Union (TGS) in Istanbul. Members of the Platform heard the testimonies from family members of imprisoned journalists. Arne König, the EFJ President chaired the meeting and concluded the meeting with a series of proposals to improve press freedom in Turkey. The proposals include the setting up of an organisation to help families of the imprisoned journalists, legal education for young journalists, and improving communications to foreign journalists and media on the precarious working conditions facing journalists in Turkey.

Later today, members of the Platform will go to Ankara to meet parliamentarians pressing the issue on the political agenda in Turkey. (Photos)

Journalists Protest against Court Decision to Continue Detention of Journalists

(22.11.2011) Journalists protested outside of the Justice Palace in Istanbul condemning the court's decision to continue detaining journalists in the Ergenekon trial.

At today's hearing, defence attorneys asked the presiding judge, Resul Cakir, to resign, saying that he could not be impartial because he sued one of the other defendants, Oda TV news director Barış Terkoğlu for publishing a picture of him dinning with other judges, prosecutors and police officers. However, the court decided to forward the motion to a higher court for ruling until 26 December while the accused journalists remain in jail.

The decision outraged the journalists' community who protested outside of the court in Istanbul, demanding the immediate release of the journalists in prison. A group of journalists led by the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) and Turkish Journalists' Union (TGS) gathered around a banner reading "A free society exists with a free press". They also put up a poster with photographs of all journalists imprisoned in Turkey.

Addressing to the protesters and the media, Philippe Leruth, the EFJ Vice-president said, "We want to express our solidarity with our detained colleagues but in the meantime express our concern for press freedom in Turkey."

The group was also joined by members of the Freedom for Journalists Platform (GÖP), the Journalists Association of Turkey (TGC), politician Alper Taş, journalist and writer Ece Temelkuran, journalist Celal Başlangıç and Osman Kavala.

Representatives of many foreign journalists organisations came to observe trial, among them are Arne König, President of the European Federation of Journalists; Vice President Philippe Leruth; Ramis Kılıçarslan and Monika Kabay from the German Journalists Union; the Vice President of the International Press Institute, Pavol Mudry; press freedom advisor for Europe and North America Steven Ellis, Johann Bihr from Reporters without Borders; European Journalists Union Vice President Saia Tsaouasidou and European Parliament members Sajjad Karim and Barbara Matera.

EFJ Mission to Turkey Demands Immediate Release of Journalists in Prison

(22.11.2011) Over 60 journalists currently in jail in Turkey must be set free immediately, says the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) ahead of a trial in Istanbul starting today.

An EFJ delegation is visiting Turkey on 22-24 November on a mission to attend the court trial of 10 journalists. Following the trial, which is today, the delegation will meet with the families of the jailed journalists on 23November and send solidarity messages to support them. The mission will also go to Ankara to meet with members of the Turkish Parliament pressing the authorities for the immediate release of jailed journalists.

"We demand the immediate release of all journalists whose continued detention has only served to show the country's intolerance of real democratic debate," said Arne König, EFJ President. "These journalists are not put in prison because they are terrorists but only for doing their work".

EFJ wishes "iyi bayramlar"

The EFJ together with its affiliate in Turkey, the Turkish Union of Journalists, launched an international postcard campaign by sending a postcard from Brussels with wishes for the Turkish national holiday bairam to the 66 colleagues currently in Turkish prisons. Everyone is invited to join this solidarity campaign for journalists in jail in Turkey by sending a postcard before 6^th November to a or several journalists (see the addresses). They will appreciate very much all international support and solidarity. Don't forget to use the phrase in Turkish "iyi bayramlar" which means "happy fest/happy bairam". (Read more about TURKEY: Solidarity Campaign for Journalists in Jail)

EFJ Sends Message of Solidarity to Jailed Journalists in Turkey
The European Federation of Journalists sent letters of solidarity to 66 journalists who are jailed in Turkey. The aim of this campaign is to express support and to demand the immediate release of our Turkish colleagues. It also announces the upcoming EFJ/IFJ mission to Istanbul on 22 -24 November. Download the sample letter HERE. It is available in both English and Turkish.

In Solidarity: EFJ Delegation Visits Jailed Journalists in Turkey
(04.05.2011) An EFJ delegation represented by the Vice-President, Philippe Leruth, together with ten Turkish colleagues from the Turkish Journalists' Union (TGS), visited the 15 journalists in Silivri Prison in Istanbul marking the World Press Freedom Day. During the visit, Leruth was denied entry to the prison by the Turkish Ministry of Justice because his is a foreign journalist. Leruth stood outside the prison during the seven-and-half-hour visit in silent protest and wore a t-shirt denouncing the oppression faced by journalists in the country. The EFJ and its affiliate, TGS will continue the campaign to free jailed journalists in Turkey. During the TGS Congress on 3 May, the TGS made a declaration calling for pubilc support and government intervention to release jailed Turkish journalists and improve press freedom in the country. A platform was also set up to campaign for the press freedom and release of jailed journalists in Turkey. A series of activities had been carried out by member of the platform to achieve these goals. The EFJ is considering another visit to Turkey in October when the new Minister of Justice is appointed. (see photo gallery)

EFJ Condemns Police Raid as Turkey Tries to Discipline Dissent in Journalism
(03.03.2011) The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and its European group the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) today condemned Turkish police raids into the homes of nine journalists this morning in Istanbul, saying they represent a serious violation of the confidentiality of journalists' sources... (more)

With an Eye on Turkey European Journalists Stand Up for Journalism as a Public Good
(05.11. 2010) The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) and its members, unions and associations of journalists across Europe, marks the Stand Up for Journalism Day, and it adopted the motto "journalism as a public good" to rekindle the spirit of mission and solidarity in journalists' work... (more)

EFJ Urges Turkey: Free Jailed Journalists Now
Journalists currently in jail in Turkey must be set free immediately, says the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) if the movement towards key changes in the country's constitution is to deliver promises of democracy and freedom.
The EFJ has joined its affiliate, the Turkish Journalists Union (TGS), in a call for the immediate and
unconditional release of more than 40 journalists jailed in Turkey who they say are in prison for nothing more than doing their job. They made the call after a majority of Turkish citizens voted "Yes" to amending the country's constitution in a referendum earlier this month.
"We demand the immediate release of all journalists whose continued detention has only served to show the country's intolerance of real democratic debate," said Arne König, EFJ President, "The vote for changes on September 12 would open the possibility of genuine change and modernization. It is prime time for the Government to show leadership and to end the climate of fear and intimidation which still surrounds the work of Turkish journalists."
The Turkish journalists currently in prison are awaiting trial on charges of violating the Turkish penal code or anti-terror laws through their work as journalists. In addition, over 700 Turkish journalists are facing law suits, with the threat of imprisonment.
The TGS has already joined forces with 18 other journalists' organisations to establish the Freedom for Journalists Platform to monitor issues concerning the freedom of journalists on 25 August. A council of law will be set up to review judicial cases
concerning press freedom in Turkey.
"These journalists are guilty only of doing their job honestly and professionally," said König. "It is unconscionable to be locked up for carrying out their normal journalistic duties."
The frustration of European journalists is shared by journalists' leaders inside the country.
"We urge the Government to release the jailed journalists immediately and reform the country's legal system to protect journalists' rights to respect freedom of expression," said Ercan Ipekçi, TGS President and member of the EFJ Steering Committee.
"There can be no free society without free journalism," he warned, "the Government must put press freedom at the core of its constitutional changes."

The EFJ calls on its member unions and civil society groups to join the campaign to free jailed Turkish journalists.

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