OSCE concerned over arrests of journalists in Turkey December 21, 2011 - 16:37 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Dunja Mijatović, said she was alarmed by the mass arrests of journalists in Turkey today and called for swift investigations. “It is important to know exactly why these media professionals were arrested. Although governments have an unquestioned right to fight terrorism, it should be carried out without silencing the press and curbing the public’s right to be informed. This right includes reporting on sensitive issues, such as terrorism,” the Representative said. According to news reports, some 20 journalists were taken into custody early this morning following police raids on offices and houses across the country. Equipment was confiscated as evidence of their alleged involvement with the activities of the Kurdistan Communities Union (KCK). Among others, journalists from the daily newspapers Vatan and Birgün, the DIHA news agency and a photographer from Agence France-Presse were arrested. “The sheer volume of today’s police raids on journalists causes great concern for their safety as well as threatens the general press freedom situation in the country because it leads to self-censorship,” Mijatović said. “Even before today’s developments, the number of imprisoned journalists in Turkey is unprecedented in the OSCE region. This was an issue I also raised with the authorities during my visit to Turkey last week,” she said.   Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads.   Partner news |  Latest news Viva-MTS: Tech solutions to modernize infrastructure of border village  The border village has been the focus of Viva-MTS and the Foundation for the Preservation of Wildlife and Cultural Values since 2015.Ucom's fixed network launched in Artashat To mark this occasion, the company has introduced a special offer exclusively for Artashat residents.“By Your Side”: IDBank's new support program for displaced Artsakh citizens IDBank is launching a long-term social support program for forcibly displaced Artsakh residents.The Power of One Dram to benefit Road of Life charity The companies inform that the May beneficiary of The Power of One Dram is the “Road of Life” charitable organization. |
