Europeans call for an end to Turkish impunity

Call to draw attention to the persistent scourge of impunity in Turkey


This written declaration commits only the members who have signed it

The Criminal Code and the Anti-Terrorism Act continue to seriously impede freedom of expression in Turkey. The provisions of these pieces of legislation have been applied to disproportionately limit freedom of expression, including that of journalists, broadcasters and publishers. The amendments adopted so far by Turkey have not been sufficient to deal with the root causes of violations of the right to freedom of expression found by the European Court of Human Rights. We express our particular concern about the use of civil and criminal defamation provisions and invite public figures to refrain from initiating defamation proceedings which have serious effects on media freedom.

We consider that the Turkish authorities should urgently review the Internet and Radio and Television Acts and in particular recognize that systematic Internet censorship and the blocking of websites by competent administrative authorities are beyond what is necessary in democratic societies.

Recalling notably the murder of Hrant Dink, advocate of the freedom of expression, we urge the authorities to step up efforts to effectively protect journalists from violence and intimidation.

We are concerned about the continuous denial of the Genocide of Armenians, Greeks, and Assyrians (Syriacs) by the Turkish authorities and the use of Article 301 of the Criminal Code for criminal persecution of journalists and writers.

We strongly condemn the continuous violations of their international obligations by the authorities of Turkey.

Signed (see overleaf)

Signed:

1
POSTANJYAN Zaruhi, Armenia, EPP/CD
ALIGRUDIĆ Miloš, Serbia, EPP/CD
BARDINA PAU Josep Anton, Andorra, ALDE
CEDERBRATT Mikael, Sweden, EPP/CD
COLOMBIER Georges, France, EPP/CD
CONDE Agustín, Spain, EPP/CD
DENDIAS Nikolaos, Greece, EPP/CD
DERVOZ Ismeta, Bosnia and Herzegovina, EPP/CD
DONABAUER Karl, Austria, EPP/CD
FARINA Gianni, Italy, SOC
FARINA Renato, Italy, EPP/CD
FISCHER Axel E., Germany, EPP/CD
GUŢU Ana, Republic of Moldova, ALDE
HARUTYUNYAN Davit, Armenia, EDG
HUSKOWSKI Stanisław, Poland, EPP/CD
JÓNSSON Birkir Jón, Iceland, ALDE
KYRIAKIDOU Stella, Cyprus, EPP/CD
LOUKAIDES George, Cyprus, UEL
MARIN Christine, France, EPP/CD
MARLAND-MILITELLO Muriel, France, EPP/CD
MAYER Edgar, Austria, EPP/CD
McNAMARA Michael, Ireland, SOC
MEALE Alan, United Kingdom, SOC
NAGHDALYAN Hermine, Armenia, ALDE
OMTZIGT Pieter, Netherlands, EPP/CD
OTTAVIANI Nadia, San Marino, EPP/CD
PFLUG Johannes, Germany, SOC
POULSEN Lisbeth Bech, Denmark, UEL
ROCHEBLOINE François, France, EPP/CD
ROUQUET René, France, SOC
RUSTAMYAN Armen, Armenia, SOC
SCHÄDLER Leander, Liechtenstein, EPP/CD
VIROLAINEN Anne-Mari, Finland, EPP/CD
ZELLER Karl, Italy, EPP/CD
ZOHRABYAN Naira, Armenia, ALDE
CHISU Corneliu, Canada
DI NINO Consiglio, Canada

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Total : 35

1 EPP/CD: Group of the European People's Party
SOC: Socialist Group
ALDE: Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe
EDG: European Democratic Group
UEL: Group of the Unified European Left
NR: not registered in a group