OSCE Media Freedom Representative welcomes release of several journalists in Turkey, calls for further reforms that ensure better legal protection

VIENNA, 25 October 2019 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, welcomed today the release of several journalists in Turkey.

According to media reports, journalists of the now-closed Dicle News Agency (DIHA), Meltem Oktay and Uğur Akgül, were released following an objection by their legal representatives on their arrest. Moreover, it has been reported that the former Editor-in-Chief of Özgür Gündem, Hüseyin Aykol, and former Cumhuriyet accountant, Emre İper will also be released. These releases come after the judicial reform package was put into force yesterday.

“I welcome the release of four journalists and media workers today in Turkey, at a time when the new judicial reform is entering into force. Journalists should not spend even one day in prison on charges that are related to their professional activities. I urge the Turkish authorities to use this positive momentum and release all journalists who are still behind bars in the country,” Désir said. He stressed that this would be the first step, and that introducing additional reforms in ensuring better judicial protection of journalists is an imperative.

The Representative recalled that, among many others, he called for the release of Aykol and İper on numerous occasions, expressing his relief that they will finally be free. He added that freedom of expression and freedom of the media are core principles of democracy and as such should be protected.

The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media observes media developments in all 57 OSCE participating States. He provides early warning on violations of freedom of expression and media freedom and promotes full compliance with OSCE media freedom commitments. Learn more at www.osce.org/fom, Twitter: @OSCE_RFoM and on www.facebook.com/osce.rfom.