"Federica Mogherini, High Representative for Foreign affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the Commission, and Johannes Hahn, Commissioner for European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations, issued the following statement today:
The police raids and arrests of a number of journalists and media representatives in Turkey today are incompatible with the freedom of media, which is a core principle of democracy. We expect that the principle of presumption of innocence will prevail and recall the inalienable right for an independent and transparent investigation in case of any alleged wrongdoing, with full respect of the rights of the defendants.
Coming only a few days after our visit to Turkey, together with Commissioner Stylianides, which has underlined the importance of EU-Turkey relations, this operation goes against the European values and standards Turkey aspires to be part of and which are the core of reinforced relations. We recall that any further step towards accession with any candidate country depends on the full respect for the rule of law and fundamental rights. We will convey our concerns to the Council, which will on Tuesday discuss enlargement policy, including Turkey. We expect that the strong EU commitment given by our Turkish counterparts during our visit to be translated into deeds."
http://eeas.europa.eu/statements-eeas/2014/141214_01_en.htm
14/12/14
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- US, EU denounce arrests of journalists in Turkey
On Sunday, Turkish police raided media outlets close to the US -based Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen and detained 24 people.
US State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said Washington was "closely following" reports of the raids and arrests.
"Media freedom, due process and judicial independence are key elements in every healthy democracy and are enshrined in the Turkish constitution," she added.
"As Turkey's friend and ally, we urge the Turkish authorities to ensure their actions do not violate these core values and Turkey's own democratic foundations."
- Meanwhile, the European Union said in an unusually strongly worded statement on Sunday that Turkish police raids on media outlets are incompatible with media freedom and run counter to European values.
"The police raids and arrests of a number of journalists and media representatives in Turkey today are incompatible with the freedom of media, which is a core principle of democracy," EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini and Enlargement Commissioner Johannes Hahn said in the joint statement.
"This operation goes against the European values and standards Turkey aspires to be part of," they said.
Among those arrested was Ekrem Dumanli, the editor-in-chief of the Zaman daily, Turkey's largest newspaper, which is closely linked to Gulen.
The group also includes an executive of Samanyolu television, seen as close to Gulen, as well as a TV director, producers, scriptwriters and some police officers.
Arrest warrants were issued for a total of 31 people, the official Anatolia news agency reported.
Pennsylvania-based Gulen, 73, is the spiritual leader of the Hizmet (Service) movement, which controls media outlets, schools and cultural centers.
He was a key backer of Erdogan before falling out with him over the government's plans to shut down his schools.
As in almost all previous raids -- which targeted mostly police officers suspected of backing Gulen -- the details of the swoop were leaked by a mysterious Twitter user named Fuat Avni before it was even carried out. *This story was edited by Ahram Online.
AFP
http://english.ahram.org.eg/News/117931.aspx
14/12/14
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Turkey media arrests: Mogherini leads EU criticism ...
ReplyDeleteTop European Union officials have sharply criticised a mass arrest of media representatives in Turkey.
Foreign affairs chief Federica Mogherini and the commissioner heading EU enlargement talks said the arrests went "against European values".
At least 24 people were arrested in police raids on a leading newspaper and TV station said to have close links with opposition parties.
Those detained are accused of trying to seize control of the state.
The Zamat newspaper and Samanyolu TV channel both have ties to US-based Islamic cleric Fethullah Gulen, the spiritual leader of the Hizmet movement
A former ally of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Mr Gulen - who lives in self-imposed exile - is accused of running a "parallel state" within Turkey.....................http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-30471996
14/12/14
Collected Department Releases: On Arrests of Journalists in Turkey ...
ReplyDeleteJen Psaki
Department Spokesperson, Office of the Spokesperson
Washington, DC
December 14, 2014
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We are closely following reports that Turkish police have conducted a series of raids and arrests at locations across Turkey today. It appears that media outlets that have been openly critical of the current Turkish government are among the targets of these actions by Turkish law enforcement. Media freedom, due process, and judicial independence are key elements in every healthy democracy and are enshrined in the Turkish constitution. As Turkey’s friend and ally, we urge the Turkish authorities to ensure their actions do not violate these core values and Turkey's own democratic foundations.
http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2014/12/235000.htm
14/12/14
Turkey media raids go against European values, says EU...
ReplyDeleteTop EU officials on Sunday denounced Turkish police raids on media representatives as going "against the European values" that Turkey aspires to as it seeks membership in the bloc.
Foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini and enlargement commissioner Johannes Hahn also said that the raids were "incompatible with the freedom of media, which is a core principle of democracy."
The statement of condemnation released by the European Commission, the EU executive arm, follows a visit to Turkey earlier this month by the two officials.
"This operation goes against the European values and standards Turkey aspires to be part of and which are the core of reinforced relations," the pair said in the statement.
"We recall that any further step towards accession with any candidate country depends on the full respect for the rule of law and fundamental rights," it said.............http://www.france24.com/en/20141214-turkey-media-raids-go-against-european-values-says-eu/
14/12/14