International press freedom groups condemn isolation of arrested Turkish journalists

A coalition from the world's most prestigious press freedom organizations condemned the isolation of arrested Turkish journalists Can Dündar and Erdem Gül on Jan. 27, holding a vigil in front of Istanbul's Silivri prison to show their support.

The Turkish Justice Ministry rejected a demand to visit the journalists that was filed by press organizations including the International Press Institute (IPI), Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), Reporters Without Borders (RSF), the Ethical Journalism Network (EJN), the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ), PEN International, the World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers (WAN-IFRA) and the South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO). 

Accordingly, the coalition condemned the ministry's refusal in a press statement made by IPI Director of Advocacy and Communications Steven Ellis in front of Silivri prison.

"In recent years, when nearly 100 journalists were held in Turkish prisons, journalists in Turkey were often allowed to visit their imprisoned colleagues. However, in recent months, Turkey's Justice Ministry has effectively barred most visits for both Dündar and Gül; the only visitors allowed to see them are close family members, lawyers or members of Turkey's Parliament," Ellis said.

Following the ministry's recent refusals to respond to visitation requests put forward by journalists' groups in Turkey and others, a coalition of 11 international free expression and press freedom defenders submitted a joint request on Jan. 8, seeking permission to visit Dündar and Gül on Jan. 27.

On Jan. 22, however, Turkey's Justice Ministry denied the request. In a response, the ministry cited articles of statutes and...