The UN experts and the OSCE condemned the continued attack on the press in Turkey, where over the last two days were arrested dozens of journalists, and a large number of media were closed.
David Kay, special rapporteur of the UN and the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatovic are concerned with tough measures that the Turkish authorities have taken after the coup attempt failed, quoted Mijatovic, the UN website.
According to reports, the government closed three news agencies, 16 television channels, 45 newspapers and 15 magazines. Since the attempted coup issued arrest warrants were issued for 89 journalists, some of them have already been arrested. 29 titles have lost their licenses, access to 20 Internet sites was blocked.
"Simultaneous arrests of independent journalists and the closure of publications and radio television companies cause a huge blow to the principles of freedom of discussion in the community and the government's responsibility, said David Kay and Dunja Mijatovic. We strongly urge the government to reconsider the decisions and stick to their commitments in the area of press freedom. "
Kay and Mijatovic also recalled the closing of universities, schools, civic organizations under the state of emergency. Such restrictions, even taking into account the exceptional circumstances, do not meet basic international standards. "This is a flagrant disregard of the principle of procedural safeguards, that only give rise to great fear among the people and the impact on those who are trying to inform people about the ongoing crisis," said Mijatovic. -02D-
Politics
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