OSCE media freedom representative welcomes release of journalist Erol Önderoğlu in Turkey

VIENNA, 1 July 2016 – OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatović today welcomed the decision by a court in Turkey yesterday to release journalist Erol Önderoğlu from prison.

“I welcome the decision of the court to release Erol Önderoğlu from prison,” Mijatović wrote in a letter today to Turkey’s Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu. “I trust that it signals the willingness of the authorities to revisit his case and that of his colleagues, and to attribute the necessary importance of media freedom and freedom of expression in their considerations.”

Mijatović expressed concern that the charges levied against Önderoğlu remain. He and his colleagues face a prison sentence of between two and 14 years if convicted.

“A prison sentence for journalistic work is a severely disproportionate punishment,” the Representative wrote, emphasizing that reporting on issues of public importance remains a core function of journalism, and an indispensable element of pluralistic debate in societies.

“I, once again, repeat my call to the authorities that those in prison for journalistic work be released without delay,” Mijatović wrote.

The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media observes media developments in all 57 OSCE participating States. She 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.