The Turkish state continues to strengthen its influence over public discourse. After arrestn by Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu and several journalists have protests broke out - Mto eat w/ mass arrests, censorship and police crackdowns. Criticism is growing against a government that uses the law to silence dissent.
Thousands have demonstrated across Turkey in recent weeks. The protests erupted after Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu greps on March 19, just days before he was expected to announce his presidential candidacy.
Imamoglu, who has been seen as President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's main political opponent, accused for corruption-related crimes and was simultaneously suspended from his dutiesThe arrest has drawn widespread criticism and is seen by many as politically motivated.
Media under attack
Shortly after Imamoglu's arrest, journalists were also targeted. On March 27 BBC correspondent Mark was expelled Lowen from the country. Lowen was there to report on the protests, but was arrested at his hotel and held in custody before being deported. Turkish authorities claim he posed a threat to public order.
Same day greps also the Swedish journalist Joakim Medin. According to Turkish media, he is accused of insulting President Erdogan, and for links to a terrorist organization.
The Turkish government's control over the media is extensive. According to Reporters without borders 90 percent of national media outlets are under direct or indirect government control. Censorship, intimidation, and state control have contributed to Turkey ranking 158th out of 180 in the 2024 Press Freedom Index.
In a report from Human Rights Watch describes how independent media are increasingly being referred to digital platforms, where critical content is often deleted at the request of the authorities. Journalists critical of the authorities risk to have their press cards revoked, prosecuted or silenced through financial pressure. Authorities also use fines as punishment for media outlets that do not follow the government's line, while courts censor sensitive articles.
International criticism of the government's actions
The arrests have drawn widespread international criticism. In an open letter Amnesty International and Civil Rights Defenders, among others, call on the Turkish authorities to immediately stop attacks on peaceful protesters and journalists, and to end restrictions on freedom of expression on the internet. In the letter, they write that they strongly condemn the use of violence against peaceful protesters: “Violence by law enforcement authorities must be strictly necessary and proportionate.”
The UN Human Rights Office has also reacted. Spokesperson Liz Throssell has expressed concern about people being deprived of their liberty for exercising their rights. In a press release she writes “Those who are accused must be treated with dignity, and their right to due process and a fair trial, including access to a lawyer of their own choosing, must be fully guaranteed.”
Dangerous development for freedom of expression
Freedom of expression in Turkey has long been restricted, and development continues to deteriorate. Same legislation that are targeted at journalists are also used against human rights defenders and civil society actors. The UN has warned in order to the anti-terrorism laws is selectively applied to label opposition voices as security threats.
Also UN Special Rapporteur Mary Lawlor has expressed concern. She raised the case of nine Turkish human rights lawyers and activists who have been sentenced to long prison sentences. In a press release, Lawlor expresses “I find it alarming that Turkey is using anti-terror laws to silence human rights defenders and critical voices, sentencing them to long prison sentences. This is contrary to Turkey’s international commitments.”