US – RSF Endorses Congressional Act Promoting Rights of Journalists in Turkey

Sponsored by Congressman Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) in the House and Senator Ed Markey (D-MA) in the Senate, this bill directs the State Department to provide assistance to civil society organizations working to secure the release of prisoners of conscience and political prisoners in Turkey, and to provide support and post-incarceration assistance for such prisoners. 

“Restrictions on the freedom of expression and attacks on journalists are disturbing signs of Turkey’s slide towards authoritarianism under President Erdogan,” said Senator Markey. “I’m pleased that Reporters Without Borders has endorsed the Turkey Human Rights and Promotion Act of 2021, which will amplify the calls for the release of wrongly detained journalists in Turkey. The United States should use our considerable leverage with our NATO allies to ensure President Erdogan does not further erode Turkey’s hard fought progress towards democracy.”

Turkey is one of Europe’s largest jailers of journalists. The few surviving independent media outlets are routinely harassed, journalists are frequently detained, and news media that are shut down are denied legal recourse. RSF’s Turkey representative, Erol Onderoglu, currently faces the possibility of more than 14 years in prison for supporting a Kurdish opposition newspaper despite RSF repeatedly calling on Turkish authorities to drop all charges against him. Earlier this year, Sedef Kabaş became the latest journalist to fall victim to Turkey's "Lèse-Majesté" law when she was arrested for insulting the president on television. Kabas was recently sentenced to more than two years in prison.

“RSF is grateful for the leadership of Congressman Hakeem Jeffries and Senator Ed Markey. Journalists in Turkey need to know they are not alone in their fight for press freedom,” said Clayton Weimers, Deputy Director of RSF’s Washington, DC office. “We look forward to working with Congress to earn more support, pass this vital bill, and help bolster the free press in Turkey.”

Turkey is ranked 153rd out of 180 countries in RSF's 2021 World Press Freedom Index, and the United States is ranked 44th.