“High value of the freedom of the press”
German-Turkish journalist Deniz Yücel has been remanded in custody in Turkey. Politicians and citizens in Germany are campaigning for his release.
Politicians, the media and many citizens in Germany are actively campaigning for the release of journalist Deniz Yücel, who has been remanded in custody in Turkey. The correspondent for the German daily “Die Welt” was initially detained on 17 February in Istanbul and 13 days later was remanded in custody. The imprisonment will last until such a time as the prosecutor’s office presents an indictment; there is no deadline, however, as to by when this must happen. According to Turkish state media, the 43-year-old is accused of “propaganda for a terrorist association” and inciting the population. Yücel had reported critically in “Die Welt” on the Turkish government. According to his lawyer, he faces a jail sentence of as much as ten and a half years. Yücel, who voluntarily turned himself in, was born in Germany, the son of Turkish immigrants, and has dual German and Turkish citizenship.
Relations face one of their greatest tests
The German Federal government is using all diplomatic channels to secure Yücel’s release – as it is convinced his statements as a journalist are protected by the constitutional right of freedom of the press and expression. Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel stated quite categorically: “This measure is disproportionately harsh, especially in view of the fact that Deniz Yücel handed himself in to the Turkish authorities and has stated his readiness to cooperate fully with investigations. The German government expects the Turkish judiciary to take into account the high value of the freedom of the press for every democratic society.” Merkel emphasized that the Federal government will continue to push hard for fair treatment of Deniz Yücel in line with the rule of law.
“We are determined to do everything we can to ensure that Deniz Yücel is freed as soon as possible,” Federal Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel said after State Secretary Walter Lindner had invited Turkish Ambassador Kemal Aydin to the Federal Foreign Office for talks. Gabriel emphasized quite unequivocally: “In all measures taken by the state, especially in the context of criminal justice, freedom of the press and freedom of opinion are precious commodities that must be taken into consideration. The criminal justice system must not be misused against journalists in any country that claims to be a democracy and to uphold human rights.” The German Federal Foreign Minister believes that German-Turkish relations are now facing “one of their greatest tests of the present age.”
Motorcades and vigils
There is much debate on the Yücel incident in the German media, in talk shows, in private groups and on social media. The platform change.org has launched an initiative entitled #FreeDeniz with a petition “for the freedom of information, expression, word and art”, and thousands have already signed; they are thus supporting not only Deniz Yücel, but all the other journalists currently imprisoned in Turkey. Research by the “Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung” reveals that at present more than 160 journalists are in jail in Turkey – more than in any other country. “Reporters without Borders” moreover states that following the attempted coup in July 2016 Turkey closed down around 150 media and cancelled in excess of 700 press passes.
On 28 February there were strident protests in a dozen German cities, with motorcades all sounding their horns. The demonstrators called for the release of Yücel and all the journalists imprisoned in Turkey. Yücel’s hometown of Flörsheim had kicked off this form of protest the weekend before. The town is just outside Frankfurt and with its some 20,000 inhabitants is planning a vigil outside the town hall on 14 March. Should Yücel be held in prison longer, the vigils will continue once a month. In early March Yücel sent a handwritten note from jail, among other things with the words: “I thank all my friends, relatives, colleagues and all those supporting me. Believe me: It really does me good.”
Federal Foreign Minister Gabriel on the Yücel incident
The #FreeDeniz initiative
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