OSCE Representative condemns prison sentences against Cumhuriyet journalists in Turkey, urges to ensure their safety

VIENNA, 28 April 2016 – The sentencing of two journalists in Turkey for republishing a cartoon is deeply worrying and another serious setback for freedom of expression in Turkey, OSCE media freedom representative Dunja Mijatović said today.

“I am concerned by the fact that journalists can face imprisonment in Turkey for expressing their views and solidarity with the killed Charlie Hebdo cartoonists,” Mijatović said. “Publishing materials that may offend a part of the society does not justify censorship, let alone imprisonment.”

Today a Turkish court sentenced two columnists of the daily Cumhuriyet, Ceyda Karan and Hikmet Çetinkaya, to two years in prison on charges of inciting public hatred and insulting religious values.

“Disagreeing with their editorial style can be expressed in many ways, but prison sentences should never be an option,” Mijatović said.

“I call on the authorities of Turkey to ensure the safety of the two journalists who have been exposed to severe threats and intimidations for their work,” she said, noting with deep concern the threats expressed online against both Karan and Çetinkaya.

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.