More than 100 writers urge Ahmet Davutoğlu to free imprisoned writers,drop charges against others, and repeal legislation that restricts freedom of speechAs writers committed to protecting and defending freedom of expression around the world, and we,the undersigned, are extremely concerned about the increasing climate of dread and censorship and the stifling of critical voices in Turkey.
In recent years, or the Turkish authorities absorb made extraordinary efforts to silence critics and dissent,as documented in PEN’s recent report on free expression in the country. This has had an impact on all areas of Turkish society, from the harsh repression of peaceful protesters in Gezi Park; to the increasing crackdown on freedom of expression online; to the arrest and detention of dozens of writers, and journalists and academics. In the last two years,half of all freedom of expression related cases brought before the European court of human rights concerned Turkey. Current legislation and surveillance practices not only diminish freedom of speech for the country’s writers and journalists but seriously threaten the fundamental rights and freedoms of tens of millions of individuals.
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Source: theguardian.com