(WAN/IFEX) – The following is a WAN press release: 21 September 1999 For immediate release Freedom for Turkish Journalist Welcome, But Problems Remain, WAN Says The World Association of Newspapers has welcomed the release of one of Turkey’s best-known imprisoned writers, Ismail Besikci, but says the action failed to address the underlying problem of press […]
(WAN/IFEX) – The following is a WAN press release:
21 September 1999
For immediate release
Freedom for Turkish Journalist Welcome, But Problems Remain, WAN Says
The World Association of Newspapers has welcomed the release of one of
Turkey’s best-known imprisoned writers, Ismail Besikci, but says the action
failed to address the underlying problem of press freedom restrictions in
Turkey.
While welcoming the decision to release Mr. Besikci and other journalists,
the Paris-based WAN condemned the terms of the amnesty, under which the
journalists can be returned to prison if they commit the same “offense”
within three years. WAN urged Ankara to repeal its draconian press laws.
“Turkey should be commended for releasing journalists and writers who should
not have been imprisoned in the first place,” said the WAN Director General,
Timothy Balding. “We hope the Turkish government will take the next step and
stop jailing journalists who are simply doing their jobs.”
Mr. Besikci, author of numerous books on the Kurds in Turkey, had been
jailed most recently in 1993 and faced charges that carried penalties of up
to 100 years in detention. He was released on 16 September, along with
cartoonist Dogan Guzel, on an amnesty signed earlier this month by President
Suleyman Demirel.
According to reports, the Turkish Press Council said 60 journalists and
writers would benefit and the government said 32 would be freed in the
course of the following month.
Along with other international organizations, WAN conducted an international
campaign for Mr. Besicki’s release, recruiting dozens of newspaper
executives world-wide to write to both the Turkish government and their own
governments urging his release.
“The Turkish amnesty is further evidence that such campaigns are
effective — that governments can be convinced it is in their best interests
to respect the basic rights of their citizens,” said Mr. Balding.
According to reports, Mr Besikci intends to continue writing. Although his
newspaper has been banned, he will write for other newspapers and intends to
publish a book in the near future.
“Under international conventions, he has the right to express himself
without fear of being returned to jail, and we hope that Turkey will realize
it is in the country’s best interest to keep him, and other journalists, out
of jail,” said Mr. Balding.
The Paris-based WAN, the global organisation for the newspaper industry,
defends and promotes press freedom world-wide. It represents 15,000
newspapers; its membership includes 61 national newspaper associations,
individual newspaper executives in 93 countries, 17 news agencies and seven
regional and world-wide press groups.
