OSCE Désir welcomes the release of two Cumhuriyet journalists, calls on Turkey to free Akın Atalay and drop charges against all defendants

VIENNA, 9 March 2018 - Following the interim court decision in Silivri to release two Cumhuriyet staff members, OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Harlem Désir repeated his call to Turkey to release the last imprisoned defendant and drop charges against all 17 defendants of the trial.

“I welcome the much awaited release of Ahmet Şık and Murat Sabuncu. They spent over a year in prison simply for doing their job,” Désir said. “While nobody can return this time to them and to their families, what is essential now is that Akın Atalay also gets his freedom back and that the charges get dropped without delay for all 17 defendants.”

“This would be an extremely important first step in starting to heal the critical state of media freedom and freedom of expression in the country,” the Representative added.

Désir recalled that in over one year the investigations failed to prove any of the extreme charges the journalists stand accused of, and that they continue to face up to 43 years in prison if convicted, for charges including "being a member of an illegal organization" and "aiding an illegal organization while not being a member". 

“I also urge to revisit questions related to the independence of the judiciary and its ability to protect freedom of expression as a constitutional right, and the issue of the right of defendants to a fair trial,” he said. “In this light, the related rulings of the European Court of Human Rights will be most urgent and important.”

“Independent media outlets like Cumhuriyet and prominent journalists like Ahmet Şık play an essential role in informing the public about issues that may directly affect them. Different voices strengthen our societies. They need to be protected, not silenced,” the Representative added.  

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