**Updates IFEX alerts of 2 February and 5 January 2000** (IPI/IFEX) – In an 18 May 2000 letter to Prime Minister Dervis Eroglu, IPI condemned the continued persecution and harassment of the Turkish Cypriot newspaper “AVRUPA”. Over the last twelve months, “AVRUPA”, a daily newspaper published and circulated in northern Cyprus, has suffered numerous judicial […]
**Updates IFEX alerts of 2 February and 5 January 2000**
(IPI/IFEX) – In an 18 May 2000 letter to Prime Minister Dervis Eroglu, IPI condemned the continued persecution and harassment of the Turkish Cypriot newspaper “AVRUPA”.
Over the last twelve months, “AVRUPA”, a daily newspaper published and circulated in northern Cyprus, has suffered numerous judicial attempts to close down the paper and drive it into insolvency. The paper is the defendant in countless civil and criminal proceedings. As a consequence of these actions, “AVRUPA” is the victim of systematic judicial harassment unparalleled in the history of the Cypriot media.
In 1999, “AVRUPA” was ordered by a court to pay US$ 260,000 in damages to President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus Rauf Denktash for a report held by the courts to be defamatory. The paper has steadfastly refused to pay these damages. Moreover, further charges were preferred against the paper before a Turkish military court for having denounced the authoritarian actions of the Turkish military and the Denktash leadership. At present, there are seventy-five criminal proceedings outstanding against “AVRUPA”. In each of these lawsuits, a five year prison term has been demanded by the prosecution.
On 16 May, due to the paper’s refusal to pay damages to Denktash, bailiffs seized the paper’s office equipment and furniture. As a result of this action, the paper was prevented from publishing its daily edition.
In another act of harassment, the military and the leadership of Denktash prevented a meeting between the president of the Union of Cyprus Journalists and the editor-in chief of “AVRUPA”. The meeting was to have taken place at the checkpoint between north and south Cyprus, at Nicosia.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to the prime minister:
– stating that defamation suits filed by politicians inhibit free speech and prevent discussion on matters of public concern
– pointing out that any leader of a ruling party has ample opportunity to defend himself from criticism by other means, for example, by responding directly to any allegations
– noting that damages must also be proportionate to the damage to reputation and should never be so high as to threaten the existence of the offending media outlet
– noting that Article 23 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that “everyone has the right to work”, and that the seizure of office equipment is contrary to this principle as it prevents workers from using the “tools of their trade”, thus denying them the opportunity to work
– calling on him to set aside the claim for damages against “AVRUPA” and to return the seized office equipment, so that the paper may continue to operate its legitimate business
Appeals To
APPEALS TO:
Prime Minister Dr. Dervis Eroglu
Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus
Lefkosa (Nicosia)
Mersin 10
Cyprus
Fax: + 22 87280
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
