Journalists are not Terrorists - Urgent Appeal of Life Sentences Given to Turkish Journalists

November 6, 2013

Journalists are not terrorists - this is the powerful message the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) is sending to the Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip ErdoÄŸan on Stand Up for Journalism Day following the life sentences given to five Turkish journalists yesterday.

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has joined the EFJ to demand an urgent appeal against the life sentences given to Füsun ErdoÄŸan and four other journalists.

According to local media, ETHA, journalists Füsun ErdoÄŸan, Ziya Ulusoy, Bayram Namaz , Ibrahim Cicek and Sedat ÅženoÄŸlu were accused of being members of a Marxist organisation (MLKP) that is banned under Turkish anti-terror laws. ErdoÄŸan was accused of being the leader of MLKP as she is the founder of the radio station Özgür Radyo which is critical of the government. They were all given life sentences apart from Sedat ÅženoÄŸlu who was sentenced to seven-year-and-six-month imprisonment. On top of the life sentences, the four journalists were also given extra punishments which mean that, in total, the life sentences amount to 3000 years.

"This is completely absurd. The verdict is a disgrace to the Turkish judicial system and an expression of the absolute power of the government. It further shows that the regime does not tolerate any criticism," said Mogens Blicher Bjerregård, EFJ President.

‘‘We demand an urgent appeal of the verdict,'' said Beth Costa, IFJ General Secretary. ‘‘The international journalist community is saddened by the court decision that is misguided by political influence.''

"We share our solidarity with ErdoÄŸan and the other journalists and will continue putting pressure on the Turkish government." added Mogens Blicher Bjerregård. "It may well be that Prime Minister Erdogan will not officially bow to the pressure. Nonetheless, the pressure from international journalist community and civil society organisations will reach new heights after this outrageous decision."

The IFJ/EFJ, together with their Turkish affiliate, the Turkish Union of Journalists (Türkiye Gazeteciler Sendikasi TGS), is taking action today against the decision. The TGS, and the Freedom for Journalists Platform (FJP-GÖP), are taking part in a March for Justice now towards Taksim Square in Istanbul. The TGS has called upon all journalists, including those who are currently in prisons and their families, as well as all the press workers, writers, intellectuals, artists, lawyers, trade unionists, students, and citizens, to Stand Up For Journalism, and for press freedom in Turkey.

In the coming days, the EFJ, with its Turkish colleagues, will discuss ways to fight back. This treatment of critical journalists is a huge setback for the already heavily beleaguered freedom of the press in Turkey. The EFJ will pressure on European institutions to react to the situation.

For more information, please visit the observer report by the EFJ representative Esben Ørberg on 30 October: http://europe.ifj.org/en/articles/the-international-media-turns-the-spotlight-on-turkey. To know more about our on-going campaign, visit Set Journalist Free in Turkey campaign site.


For more information contact:
European Federation of Journalists
Phone: +32 2 235 22 08.
Website: ifj.org