Amendments to Turkey's Internet Law must respect media freedom and right to freedom of expression, urges OSCE representative

VIENNA, 31 January 2014 - Amendments to Turkey’s Internet Law can further restrict free expression in the country, OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatović said today.

“If the new measures are adopted they would place a disproportionate burden on Internet service and hosting providers,” Mijatović said, referring to an assessment of the amendments commissioned by her office and sent to the Turkish authorities.

The assessment points to a number of concerns including the right of the Telecommunications Communication Presidency to request and collect data on any Internet user without judicial oversight.

The Representative said that such measures could curb pluralistic discussion about issues of public importance and also negatively impact indispensable elements of freedom of the media, such as investigative journalism or protection of sources.

“I trust that the concerns outlined in the assessment will be positively considered by the authorities. I also hope that the amendments will be open for broad public discussions with all interested parties," Mijatović said.

Mijatovic offered her Office's continuing assistance in bringing the Internet Law in line with OSCE commitments. The assessment on the amendments is available here: www.osce.org/fom/110823. 

The Representative office's legal analysis on the Internet Law of Turkey, published in 2010, is available here: www.osce.org/fom/41091