International roof organisation for freedom of expression, Toronto-based IFEX (International Freedom of Expression Exchange) started a campaign for Fikret Başkaya. 23 press and freedom organisations participated in the campaign in 19 countries and 5 continents, sending a short message to Erdoğan and demanding for the charges of “terrorist organisation propaganda” to be dropped immediately as well as for the pressure against Başkaya to end.
Only a few days ago, PEN International launched a similar declaration and announced their support for Başkaya, who will stand trial at Ankara 21st Assize Court on November 22nd.
The letter directly addressing Erdoğan states that more than 130 writers and journalists are in Turkish prisons and hundreds are being prosecuted with charges of “terror propaganda” due to their writings or speeches within freedom of expression, based on international standards. The letter further reminds Turkey that it is a party of the International Convention on Human Rights as well as the European Convention on Human Rights, while these conventions are high norms in the Turkish Law in accordance with Article 90 of the Turkish Constitution. Turkey is therefore invited to act in accordance with these conventions.
Please click here for the letter signed by 22 signatory organisations as well as Prof. Dr. Baskın Oran.
Signatories:
Adil Soz- International Foundation for Protection of Freedom of Speech (Kazakhistan)
Albanian Media Institute (Albania)
Cartoonists Rights Network International (USA)
European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (Germany)
Freedom Forum (USA)
Free Media Movement (Sri Lanka)
Freedom of Expression Institute (South Africa)
Fundamedios – Andean Foundation for Media Observation and Study (Ecuador)
Independent Journalism Center (Moldova)
Düşünce Suçu(!?)na Karşı Girişim (Turkey)
International Press Centre/IPC (Nigeria)
Mediacentar Sarajevo (Bosnia & Herzegovina)
Media Foundation for West Africa/MFWA (Ghana)
Media Rights Agenda/MRA (Nigeria)
Media Watch (Australia)
PEN America (USA)
PEN Denmark (Denmark)
PEN International (UK)
PEN Norway (Norway)
Syrian Center for Media and Freedom of Expression/SCM (France)
South East Europe Media Organisation (Croatia)
Vigilance for Democracy and the Civic State (Tunisia)
Dr. Baskin Oran, Professor Emeritus of International Relations, Ankara University
14.11.2019