(WAN/IFEX) – In a 10 May 2000 letter to Prime Minister Sayin Bülent Ecevit, WAN and the World Editors Forum expressed serious concern at the banning of several magazines. According to reports, on 24 April the government sent a notice to the regional headquarters of the political and cultural magazines “Ozgur Halk”, “Yasamda Genclik”, “Ozgur […]
(WAN/IFEX) – In a 10 May 2000 letter to Prime Minister Sayin Bülent Ecevit, WAN and the World Editors Forum expressed serious concern at the banning of several magazines.
According to reports, on 24 April the government sent a notice to the regional headquarters of the political and cultural magazines “Ozgur Halk”, “Yasamda Genclik”, “Ozgur Kadinin Sesi” and “Rewshen”, informing them that their sale and distribution was prohibited in five eastern provinces. The prohibition was ordered under Emergency Law 11(e), which empowers authorities to ban publications “to protect general security, safety and public order and to prevent the spread of acts of violence”. This move follows similar steps taken recently against the satirical magazine “Pine”.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to the prime minister:
- reminding him that banning “Ozgur Halk”, “Yasamda Genclik”, “Ozgur Kadinin Sesi”, “Rewshen” and “Pine” is a clear breach of the fundamental right to freedom of expression
- stating that freedom of expression is guaranteed by numerous international agreements, including the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, which Turkey has signed and which states: “Everyone has the right to freedom of expression. This right shall include freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart information and ideas without interference by public authority and regardless of frontiers”
- calling on him to ensure that the prohibition orders imposed on “Ozgur Halk”, “Yasamda Genclik”, “Ozgur Kadinin Sesi”, “Rewshen” and “Pine” are lifted immediately
- urging him to do everything in his power to ensure that in future Turkey fully respects its international obligations to freedom of expression
Appeals To
Prime Minister Sayin Bülent Ecevit
Basbakan
Basbakanlik
06573 Ankara, Turkey
Fax: +90 312 417 0476
Please copy appeals to WAN.
