During the EP plenary session (24-27/10) in Strasbourg, MEPs debate&nbsp; on the situation of journalists in Turkey. Statements by Corina CRETU, Member of the EC in charge of Regional Policy, Renate SOMMER (EPP, DE), Kati PIRI (S&amp;D, NL), Rapporteur on Turkey, Marietje SCHAAKE (ALDE, NL), and Rebecca HARMS (Greens/EFA, DE).

Strasbourg

debate

plenary session

EU - Türkiye (T)

freedom of press and media (T)

PIRI, Kati (S&D, NL)

SCHAAKE, Marietje (ALDE, NL)

CREȚU, Corina (S&D, RO)

HARMS, Rebecca (Greens/EFA, DE)

SOMMER, Renate (EPP, DE)

Situation of journalists in Turkey: extracts from the debate

SOUNDBITE (English), Corina CRETU, Member of the EC in charge of Regional Policy, The recent period has been a testing time for Turkey. The attempted coup of 15 July risked sending the country back in time to a darker era of its history.

SOUNDBITE (English), Corina CRETU, Member of the EC in charge of Regional Policy, We urge that Turkish authorities to refrain from blocking access to internet content and from takedowns. All these issues of concern are central for the European Union, and we very much encourage cooperation with the Council of Europe in this regard. Free, diverse and independent media is essential in any democratic society. Without freedom of expression and freedom of the media, an informed, active and engaged citizenry is impossible.

SOUNDBITE (English), Corina CRETU, Member of the EC in charge of Regional Policy, Prosecutors began to summon members of parliament to testify, and this raises further concerns about the respect for the rule of law and fundamental freedoms, in particular the freedom of expression. It is precisely this same issue that needs to be addressed under one of the seven outstanding benchmarks in the framework of the visa liberalisation dialogue related to anti-terror legislation. Let us be very clear: this benchmark is not about asking Turkey to reduce its capacity to fight terrorism. This benchmark is about making sure that the anti-terror legislation and its application are aligned with the case-law of the European Court of Human Rights &ndash; in short, that it cannot be used to jail journalists who only did their job and to curtail freedom of expression.

SOUNDBITE (German), Renate SOMMER (EPP, DE), <a></a>Any criticisms of Erdoğan, his family, his party, his government or any institution from the state is strictly forbidden; de facto there is a dictatorship of opinion and a presidential dictatorship in Turkey, a single man is in control of the legislative power, education, justice, media and civil society.

SOUNDBITE (English), Kati PIRI (S&amp;D, NL), Rapporteur on Turkey, In the European Parliament, we attach great importance to press freedom. One of this year&rsquo;s candidates for the Sakharov Prize is Turkish journalist Can D&uuml;ndar.  

SOUNDBITE (English), Kati PIRI (S&amp;D, NL), Rapporteur on Turkey, In the joint resolution that we will vote on tomorrow, all political groups are united in their call on the Turkish Government to immediately release these journalists; distinguished journalist of proven integrity, including former editor-in-chief Ahmed Altan, columnist Şahin Alpay, and well-known novelist Aslı Erdoğan, are being punished without due process through a long period of pre-trial detention.

SOUNDBITE (English), Kati PIRI (S&amp;D, NL), Rapporteur on Turkey, The events of last night show that the curtailment of free speech in Turkey is not limited to journalists only. The co-mayors of Diyarbakır, G&uuml;ltan Kışanak and Fırat Anlı, were detained yesterday. If democratically elected politicians are no longer allowed to freely express their opinion, then who can?

SOUNDBITE (English), Marietje SCHAAKE (ALDE, NL), Turkey is and will remain an essential partner for us and we must act in the interests of all its people. Despite the low point that we see and that, frankly, is very disappointing, despite the bleeding of hearts, both in Europe and in Turkey, of those who hoped that Turkey would move towards the EU, we have to continue as Europeans to focus on what is really important in our path forward and focus on the rule of law and human rights, and, particularly, not be silent because we want the migration deal only.

SOUNDBITE (German), Rebecca HARMS (Greens/EFA, DE), 130 people &ndash; men and women who worked with the pencil, with the camera, with the microphone, with the computer &ndash; are in prison right now because they did their jobs. Journalism is not a crime. This is today our message to Turkey. It is our message to President Erdoğan and the whole of the Turkish Parliament.

SOUNDBITE (German), Rebecca HARMS (Greens/EFA, DE), 130 journalists is not only a figure. Behind this figure are persons, families, people who are waiting for those courageous people will be free again. Applause