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The following organizations, members of
the OSCE-wide NGO coalition Civic Solidarity Platform, express their
grave concern about the arrest on 20 June 2016 of the President of
the Human Rights Foundation of Turkey (HRFT), Şebnem Korur Fincancı,
Erol Önderoğlu (journalist associated with Reporters Without
Borders) and Ahmet Nesin in connection with their participation in
the campaign to counter suppression of the Özgür Gündem journal.
Arrests for participation in such a
campaign are not acceptable in terms of international human rights
and freedoms. The arrest warrant against Şebnem Korur Fincancı who
committed herself to fight against human rights violations, in
particular against torture and ill-treatment at domestic and
international level, should also be considered a threat to the wider
struggle against human rights violations.
In light of the above, we call on the
authorities in Turkey to:
I. Guarantee in all circumstances the
physical and psychological integrity of Ms. MD. Şebnem Korur
Fincancı, Mr. Erol Önderoğlu and Mr. Ahmet Nesin,
II. Release them immediately and
unconditionally, and drop all charges against them since their
detention is arbitrary as it only aims at preventing freedom of
expression and their human rights activities,
III. Put an end to all acts of
harassment, intimidation including at the judicial level, against
all human rights defenders and journalists,
IV. Put an end to the crackdown on human
rights defenders in line with Turkey’s international commitments,
V. Ensure in all circumstances respect
for human rights and fundamental freedoms in accordance with
international human rights standards and international instruments
ratified by Turkey.
Signatory organisations:
Analytical Center for
Interethnic Cooperation and Consultations (Georgia)
Belarus Helsinki Committee
Belarusian Association of
Journalists
Bulgarian Helsinki Committee
Center for Civil Liberties
(Ukraine)
Centre for the Development of
Democracy and Human Rights (Russia)
Freedom Files (Russia)
Statement Şebnem Korur
Fincancı, Erol Önderoğlu and Ahmet Nesin, 21 June 2016
Helsinki Citizens' Assembly –
Vanadzor (Armenia)
Helsinki Committee of Armenia
Helsinki Foundation for Human
Rights (Poland)
Helsinki Committee for Human
Rights in Serbia
Human Rights Center of
Azerbaijan
Human Rights House Foundation
(international)
Human Rights Monitoring
Institute (Lithuania)
Human Rights Movement Bir
Duino-Kyrgyzstan
Index on Censorship (UK)
International Partnership for
Human Rights (Belgium)
International Rehabilitation
Council for Torture Victims (international)
Kazakhstan International Bureau
for Human Rights and Rule of Law
Kharkiv Regional Foundation
Public Alternative (Ukraine)
Kosova Rehabilitation Centre
for Torture Victims
Moscow Helsinki Group (Russia)
Netherlands Helsinki Committee
Norwegian Helsinki Committee
Notabene (Tajikistan)
Office of Civil Freedoms
(Tajikistan)
Promo-LEX Association (Moldova)
Protection of Rights without
Borders (Armenia)
Public Verdict (Russia)
Regional Center for Strategic
Studies (Georgia/ Azerbaijan)
Swiss Helsinki Committee
Ukrainian Helsinki Human Rights
Union
UNITED for Intercultural Action
(international)?
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