Turkish 'Justice': Life in Prison for Journalists; Leniency for ISIS Terrorist

by Uzay Bulut  •  April 29, 2019 at 4:00 am

        

• "The magnitude of these punishments, and the fact that the court failed to implement a related, binding ruling of the Constitutional Court, also raise fundamental questions about the ability of the [Turkish] judiciary to uphold the constitutionally protected right to freedom of expression." — Harlem Désir, Representative on Freedom of the Media for the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE).
• "The court decision condemning journalists to aggravated life in prison for their work, without presenting substantial proof of their involvement in the coup attempt or ensuring a fair trial, critically threatens journalism and with it the remnants of freedom of expression and media freedom in Turkey." — David Kaye, United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Promotion and Protection of the Right to Freedom of Opinion and Expression.
• Sadly, such public denunciations have not worked. At least 144 intellectuals are languishing in Turkish jails for their work or political views.

In February, three dissident Turkish journalists accused of "attempting to overthrow the constitutional order" were sentenced to life in prison. Harlem Désir (pictured), the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, said that the punishments "raise fundamental questions about the ability of the [Turkish] judiciary to uphold the constitutionally protected right to freedom of expression." (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)

Two recent criminal cases in Turkey underscore Ankara's disturbing double standard when it comes to the concept of justice.

In February, three dissident Turkish journalists accused of "attempting to overthrow the constitutional order" -- for their alleged "involvement in the 2016 coup attempt" against President Recep Tayyip Erdogan -- were sentenced to life in prison.

In March, Neil Christopher Prakash, an Australian ISIS terrorist caught in 2016 crossing the border into Turkey from Syria, was given a light sentence by the Kilis High Criminal Court.

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