Offener Brief von internationalen Redakteuren an den türkischen Präsidenten Erdogan, 29.10.2015 (engl. Originalfassung)
Vertreter internationaler Medien veröffentlichten einen offenen Brief an den türkischen Präsidenten Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Darin kritisieren sie die zunehmende Abwendung von der Pressefreiheit in der Türkei: »We urge you to use your influence to ensure that journalists, whether Turkish citizens or members of the international press, are protected and allowed to do their work without hindrance.« Zu den 50 Unterzeichnern des Briefes gehören namhafte Redakteurinnen und Redakteure von u. a. New York Times, ARD, ZDF oder El Pais. Diese stellen eine alarmierende Entwicklung in den letzten zwei Monaten heraus: »Incidents include: two attacks on the offices of the newspaper Hurriyet, including one supported by a serving Member of the Turkish Parliament; the physical assault of leading journalist Ahmet Hakan Coskun following an organised campaign of threats led by press outlets sympathetic to the government and the President; the raid and seizure of Koza Ipek Media, known for being critical of the President; the detention of three journalists working for Vice News (including Mohammed Ismael Rasool who is still in prison), court cases against journalists and further arrests.«
Kultur der Straflosigkeit
Die Unterzeichnerinnen und Unterzeichner erkennen ein Klima der Einschüchterung im Vorfeld der Wahl vom 1. November: »The government’s reluctance, and in some instances failure, to condemn attacks on journalists independent or critical of them is an especially alarming development. [...] We share widespread concerns that recent events are part of a concerted campaign to silence any opposition or criticism of the government in the run up to the election. We recognise that Turkey is facing a period of considerable tension. It is at such times that the role of a free press becomes ever more critical.«
Den gesamten offenen Brief inklusive der Liste der Unterzeichnenden finden Sie hier.