Sittings · Document
On the case of Bülent Mumay in Türkiye
on behalf of the Renew Group · Rapporteur: Lucia Yar, Petras Auštrevičius, Malik Azmani, Helmut Brandstätter, Benoit Cassart, Olivier Chastel, Engin Eroglu, Svenja Hahn, Karin Karlsbro, Nathalie Loiseau, JanChristoph Oetjen, Hilde Vautmans
This resolution condemns the prison sentence of journalist Bülent Mumay in Türkiye as an infringement of press freedom and freedom of expression, and urges Turkish authorities to review his case and uphold human rights and the rule of law.¶ It calls on the Turkish government to end the systematic targeting of journalists, condemns the use of arbitrary detention, censorship and financial coercion, and expresses solidarity with Mumay and other journalists, urging Türkiye to stop deporting exiled Syrian journalists.¶¶ The resolution also states that the decision confirms the authoritarian character of the current political leadership in Türkiye and its lack of willingness to make reforms in fundamental rights and rule of law.¶
Key points
- Condemns the prison sentence of Bülent Mumay as a serious infringement of his personal rights and of press freedom and freedom of speech in Türkiye.¶
- Urges Turkish authorities to review Mumay's case and uphold human rights, the rule of law, fundamental freedoms and freedom of speech.¶
- Calls on the Turkish government to end the systematic targeting of journalists and expresses concern at the deterioration in press freedom, citing organisations such as Reporters Without Borders and the Committee to Protect Journalists.¶
- Condemns the use of arbitrary detention, judicial and administrative harassment, censorship, and financial coercion to curb investigative journalism.¶
- Expresses full solidarity with Bülent Mumay and other journalists who have been prosecuted, jailed or faced other forms of intimidation.¶
- Urges Türkiye to stop deporting exiled Syrian journalists to their country of origin where they face grave danger.¶
- Points out that the decision reconfirms the authoritarian character of the current political leadership in Türkiye, which imposes a violent crackdown on political opponents, fundamental rights activists and minorities.¶
- States that the government shows a lack of willingness to make real reforms in the field of fundamental rights and rule of law.¶
Who is affected
- Journalist Bülent Mumay, whose prison sentence is condemned and whose case is urged to be reviewed.¶
- Journalists in Türkiye, including exiled Syrian journalists, who face prosecution, intimidation, and deportation.¶¶
- The Turkish government and authorities, called on to end targeting of journalists and uphold rights.¶¶
Figures and deadlines
- 20 month prison sentence against Bülent Mumay upheld on 20th August.¶
- On May 20, 2024, a Turkish court removed Mumay's tweets and blocked access to news reports.¶
- Turkish government is reported to control 85% of national media.¶
- A so-called 'disinformation law' was passed in 2022.¶
- A 'foreign agent law' is reportedly planned by the end of 2024.¶
Written by a language model from the full text only; every figure comes from the text and ¶ links to the paragraph it rests on. Check the text itself before relying on it.