Today’s Zaman
Sentenced to 10 Years and 5 months in Jail.
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Today’s Zaman
Sentenced to 10 Years and 5 months in Jail.
Turkey, the biggest jailer of journalists, shut down at least 155 media outlets and made mass imprisonments of press members due to their work after the coup attempt in July 2016. As of January 2019, 155 journalists and media executives are in jail according to the International Press Institute (IPI). #WorldPressFreedomDay #FreePrisonersOfConscience
WORLD PRESS FREEDOM DAY 2019 MESSAGE TO THE WORLD TO CALL ON FREEING JOURNALISTS
U.S Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi
Professor Anwar Alam / Lawyer James Harrington
Turkish Actor Orhan Aydin / AST Director Hafsa Girdap
Film Producer & Journalist Thomas Sideris / Professor Vonya Womack
Exiled Journalist Deniz Zengin
Download as pdf: AST_Turkey’s Human Rights Violations Weekly_April 15
Turkey’s Human Rights Violations | 04/08/2019-04/15/2019
1-“Election authority says elected mayors not to be given mandate if they are purge victims”
https://www.turkishminute.com/2019/04/10/election-authority-says-elected-mayors-not-to-be-given-mandate-if-they-are-purge-victims/
2-“Turkey’s Erdoğan urges Sudan to operate under ‘normal democratic process”
https://www.turkishminute.com/2019/04/11/turkeys-erdogan-urges-sudan-to-operate-under-normal-democratic-process/
3-“Video game portrays opposition mayoral candidate’s quest for mandate”
https://www.turkishminute.com/2019/04/11/video-game-portrays-opposition-mayoral-candidates-quest-for-mandate/
4-“Wives of jailed police chiefs who exposed corruption given lengthy prison sentences”
https://www.turkishminute.com/2019/04/10/wives-of-jailed-police-chiefs-who-exposed-corruption-given-lengthy-prison-sentences/
5-‘’Jailed woman forced to go through labor for two days in handcuffs”
https://www.turkishminute.com/2019/04/10/jailed-woman-forced-to-go-through-labor-for-two-days-in-handcuffs/
6-“HRW: Turkey has arbitrarily jailed hundreds of lawyers since 2016 coup”
https://www.turkishminute.com/2019/04/10/hrw-turkey-has-arbitrarily-jailed-hundreds-of-lawyers-since-2016-coup/
7-“Turkey orders detention of 292 people over Gülen links: report”
https://www.turkishminute.com/2019/04/09/turkey-orders-detention-of-292-people-over-gulen-links-report/
8-European rights court orders Turkey to compensate citizen held in police custody when he was 8
https://www.turkishminute.com/2019/04/09/european-rights-court-orders-turkey-to-compensate-citizen-held-in-police-custody-when-he-was-8/
9-“Convicted coup suspect says he was victim of that night”
https://www.turkishminute.com/2019/04/08/convicted-coup-suspect-says-he-was-victim-of-that-night/
10-“Erdoğan’s targeting of journalist goes unnoticed: ‘Public got used to it’ former editor says”
https://www.turkishminute.com/2019/04/07/erdogans-targeting-of-journalist-goes-unnoticed-public-got-used-to-it-former-editor-says/
11-“Ministry says purged staff cannot be reinstated unless family member is acquitted’”
https://turkeypurge.com/ministry-says-purged-staff-cannot-be-reinstated-unless-family-member-is-acquitted
12-“HRW: Bar associations in Europe, US, Canada should advocate for lawyers in Turkey”
https://turkeypurge.com/white-house-must-stand-up-to-erdogans-politically-motivated-detentions-us-senator-says
13-‘’Detention warrants issued for 292 people over Gulen links”
https://turkeypurge.com/detention-warrants-issued-for-292-people-over-gulen-links
14-“Wives of police chiefs who led 2013 corruption operations sentenced to 6 years in prison”
https://turkeypurge.com/wives-of-police-chiefs-who-led-2013-corruption-operations-sentenced-to-6-years-in-prison
15-“Pro-Erdogan mafia boss says will take to the streets if the government asks”
https://turkeypurge.com/pro-erdogan-mafia-boss-says-will-take-to-the-streets-if-the-government-asks
16-‘’Mayor-elect purged teacher denied certificate of election by electoral council: report”
https://turkeypurge.com/mayor-elect-purged-teacher-denied-certificate-of-election-by-electoral-council-report
17-“First-Ever Comprehensive Biography on Fethullah Gülen”
https://hizmetnews.com/24806/first-ever-comprehensive-biography-on-fethullah-gulen/#.XLClfLfYrnE
18. “300 purge victim judges, prosecutors barred from obtaining law licenses: report”
https://www.turkishminute.com/2019/04/11/300-purge-victim-judges-prosecutors-barred-from-obtaining-law-licenses-report/
19. “ 9 purge-victim mayor-elects denied mandate by Turkey’s election authority”
https://turkeypurge.com/9-purge-victim-mayor-elects-denied-mandate-by-turkeys-election-authority
20. “Berkin Elvan’ın vurulduğu yerde 6 yıl sonra keşif”
http://aktifhaber.com/gundem/berkin-elvanin-vuruldugu-yerde-6-yil-sonra-kesif-h130907
21. “Yandaşta kavga başladı: ‘Reis’çilere ‘Zübükzade’ benzetmesi”
http://aktifhaber.com/gundem/yandasta-kavga-basladi-reiscilere-zubukzade-benzetmesi-h130911.html
22. “Rabia Naz’ın babası akıl hastanesine yatırılıyor”
http://aktifhaber.com/gundem/rabia-nazin-babasi-akil-hastanesine-yatiriliyor-h130908.html
23. “Meriç Nehri’nde sonlanan genç, coşkulu ve neşeli bir hayat”
http://aktifhaber.com/gundem/meric-nehrinde-sonlanan-genc-coskulu-ve-neseli-bir-hayat-h130875.html
24. “Akın İpek’in iade davasında İngiltere’den Türkiye’ye ikinci ret”
http://aktifhaber.com/gundem/akin-ipekin-iade-davasinda-ingiltereden-turkiyeye-ikinci-ret-h130873.html
25. ‘’Gazeteci İbrahim Karayeğen, koğuş arkadaşı Ahmet Altan’ı anlattı”
http://aktifhaber.com/15-temmuz/gazeteci-ibrahim-karayegen-kogus-arkadasi-ahmet-altani-anlatti-h130987.html
26. “Karikatürist Carlos Latuff, Türkiye’deki tutuklu hamile kadınları çizdi”
http://aktifhaber.com/15-temmuz/karikaturist-carlos-latuff-turkiyedeki-tutuklu-hamile-kadinlari-cizdi-h130986.html
27. ‘’Babasında Bylock olduğu gerekçesiyle kızına 6 yıl 3 ay ceza verildi”
http://aktifhaber.com/15-temmuz/babasinda-bylock-oldugu-gerekcesiyle-kizina-6-yil-3-ay-ceza-verildi-h130959.html
28. ‘’Hastanede skandal; tutuklu kadına, kelepçeli doğum!”
http://aktifhaber.com/15-temmuz/hastanede-skandal-tutuklu-kadina-kelepceli-dogum-h130867.html
29. “KHK ile ihraç 59 polis hakkında daha gözaltı kararı”
http://aktifhaber.com/15-temmuz/khk-ile-ihrac-59-polis-hakkinda-daha-gozalti-karari-h130850.html
30. “Erdoğan’ın yeni köşkü için inşaat başladı”
http://www.tr724.com/erdoganin-yeni-kosku-icin-insaat-basladi/
31. “Birçok ilde ‘cadı avı’ operasyonu: 288 gözaltı kararı”
http://www.tr724.com/bircok-ilde-cadi-avi-operasyonu-288-gozalti-karari/
32. “AKP gündeme getirdi; Büyükçekmece’de ‘sahte seçmen’ operasyonu başladı”
http://www.tr724.com/akp-gundeme-getirdi-buyukcekmecede-sahte-secmen-operasyonu-basladi/
33. “Profesyonel infazı böyle tarif etti: “Cinayet Türkiye için yeni bir Susurluk’tur”
http://www.tr724.com/profesyonel-infazi-boyle-tarif-etti-cinayet-turkiye-icin-yeni-bir-susurluktur/
34. “Tedavi için dışarıda olması gereken Avşin bebeğe mahkemeden ret!”
http://www.tr724.com/tedavi-icin-disarida-olmasi-gereken-avsin-bebege-mahkemeden-ret/
35. ”Türkiye genelinde 280 kişi için gözaltı kararı”
http://aktifhaber.com/15-temmuz/turkiye-genelinde-280-kisi-icin-gozalti-karari-h130849.html
36. “Hekimlerle derdiniz ne?”
http://www.tr724.com/hekimlerle-derdiniz-ne/
37. “Zindana açık mektup: Hakkını helal et bacım!”
http://www.tr724.com/zindana-acik-mektup-hakkini-helal-et-bacim/
38. “Sippenhaft –aile boyu “suç”
http://www.tr724.com/sippenhaft-aile-boyu-suc/
39. “Çocuklarınız sizden utanacak”
http://www.tr724.com/cocuklariniz-sizden-utanacak/
40. “Mahir Mete Kul’un hikâyesi”
http://www.tr724.com/mahir-mete-kulun-hikayesi/
Download as pdf: AST_Turkey’s Human Rights Violations Weekly_January 13
Turkey’s Human Rights Violations | 01/13/2019-01/20/2019
1-” Enes Kanter eager for Knicks return after ‘boring’ spell as TV viewer”
https://nypost.com/2019/01/21/enes-kanter-eager-for-knicks-return-after-boring-spell-as-tv-viewer/
2-“Enes Kanter’s concerns about potential assassination over political views taken ‘very seriously’by NBA”
https://www.foxnews.com/sports/enes-kanters-concerns-about-potential-assassination-over-political-views-taken-very-seriously-by-nba
3- New York Knicks Star Enes Kanter’s Assassination Fears: ‘Erdogan’s Long Arm Is Everywhere’
https://www.thedailybeast.com/new-york-knicks-star-enes-kanters-assassination-fears-erdogans-long-arm-is-everywhere
4- Thunder center Enes Kanter has arrest warrant in Turkey, accused of being part of terrorist group
https://www.sbnation.com/2017/5/26/15701832/enes-kanter-arrest-warrant-terrorist-turkey-thunder-nba-gulen-erdogan
5- Enes Kanter fears about his homeland are ‘delusions’, says former NBA player Hedo Turkoglu
https://www.skysports.com/nba/news/36226/11601632/enes-kanter-fears-about-his-homeland-are-delusions-says-former-nba-player-hedo-turkoglu
6- Spurning Erdogan’s Vision, Turks Leave in Droves, Draining Money and Talent
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/02/world/europe/turkey-emigration-erdogan.html
7- New York Knicks’ Enes Kanter brands Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan ‘Alunatic’, says he fears for his life
https://www.newsweek.com/enes-kanter-turkish-government-recep-tayyip-erdogan-new-york-knicks-nba-1280375
8- Turkish TV watchdog orders halt to show over actors’ remarks on Erdoğan
http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkish-tv-watchdog-orders-halt-to-show-over-actors-remarks-on-erdogan-140055
9- HSBC’s Turkish boss is probed by police for Hitler insult to country’s leader Recep Erdogan
https://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/markets/article-6545603/HSBCs-Turkish-boss-probed-police-Hitler-insult-countrys-leader-Recep-Erdogan.html
10- Turkish Comedy Veterans in Court After TV Attack Riles Erdogan
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-12-24/turkish-comedy-veterans-in-court-after-tv-attack-riles-erdogan
11- Kurdish protesters attacked by Erdoğan’s bodyguards at DC demonstration sue Turkish government
https://www.pri.org/stories/2019-01-18/kurdish-protesters-attacked-erdo-ans-bodyguards-dc-demonstration-sue-turkish
12- NBA’s Kanter urges Trump to act on Turkey’s human rights record
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-turkey-security-gulen-kanter/nbas-kanter-urges-trump-to-act-on-turkeys-human-rights-record-idUSKCN1PB268
13- Turkey reportedly seeking warrant for Knicks’ Enes Kanter over ‘terror’ claims
https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2019/jan/16/enes-kanter-turkey-arrest-warrant-nba-recep-tayyip-erdogan
14- Why Turkey is seeking an international arrest warrant for Knicks’ Enes Kanter
https://www.sbnation.com/nba/2019/1/7/18172721/enes-kanter-arrest-warrant-travel-london-knicks-wizards-turkey-president
15- Turkey Issues Yet Another Arrest Warrant for Enes Kanter
https://sports.vice.com/en_us/article/a3m5pp/turkey-issues-yet-another-arrest-warrant-for-enes-kanter-erdogan
16- NBA New York Knicks player Enes Kanter is a wanted man in Turkey. Here’s why
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-01-17/new-york-knicks-enes-kanter-a-wanted-man-in-turkey-heres-why/10721890
17- ‘I didn’t feel safe’: NBA star Enes Kanter skips London game over Turkey assassination fears
https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/kanter-erdogan-turkey-nba-1.4984599
18- “Turkey orders arrest of 100 soldiers over alleged links to Muslim cleric accused of orchestrating coup attempt”
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/turkey-soldiers-arrest-fethullah-gulen-coup-erdogan-muslim-cleric-president-a8722426.html
19- “Turkish men ‘face torture’ after being extradited from Malaysia as post-coup crackdown continues”
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/turkey-coup-attempt-erdogan-gulen-hizmet-movement-crackdown-malaysia-arrests-extradited-karaman-a7733276.html
20- “Turkey sentences detained judge who won human rights award to 10 years, Anadolu says”
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/world/turkey-sentences-detained-judge-who-won-human-rights-award-to-10-years–anadolu-says-11141758
21- “Man detained by Turkey for ‘liking’ anti-Erdogan Facebook post”
http://www.rudaw.net/english/middleeast/turkey/20012019
22- “Jailed Turkish philanthropist Osman Kavala to be nominated for Nobel Peace Prize”
https://ahvalnews.com/osman-kavala/jailed-turkish-philanthropist-osman-kavala-be-nominated-nobel-peace-prize
23- “Daily chart Turkey leads the world in jailed journalists”
https://www.economist.com/graphic-detail/2019/01/16/turkey-leads-the-world-in-jailed-journalists
24- “Turkish Prosecutors Seek Arrest of the Knicks’ Enes Kanter”
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/16/sports/basketball/knicks-enes-kanter-turkey-arrest-warrant.html
Erdogan Hukumeti tarafından işlenenen İnsan Hakları İhlalleri
25- “45 günlük bebek annesiyle birlikte cezaevine konuldu”
http://aktifhaber.com/15-temmuz/45-gunluk-bebek-annesiyle-birlikte-cezaevine-konuldu-h127508.html
26- ”OHAL bitti ama baskılar bitmedi, uyduruk gerekçelerle tutuklamalar devam ediyor”
http://aktifhaber.com/15-temmuz/ohal-bitti-ama-baskilar-bitmedi-uyduruk-gerekcelerle-tutuklamalar-devam-ediyor-h127501.html
27- “TMSF, hukuksuzca gasp edilen şirketlerin satışına başladı”
http://aktifhaber.com/ekonomi/tmsf-hukuksuzca-gasp-edilen-sirketlerin-satisina-basladi-h127497.html
28- “Cadı avı yaşlı ve hastaları da dinlemiyor: 72 yaşındaki hastayı tutukladılar”
http://aktifhaber.com/gundem/cadi-avi-yasli-ve-hastalari-da-dinlemiyor-72-yasindaki-hastayi-tutukladilar-h127335.html
29- “Hukuksuzca Gasp Edilen Şirketlerin Değeri 56.5 Milyar TL”
http://aktifhaber.com/ekonomi/hukuksuzca-gasp-edilen-sirketlerin-degeri-565-milyar-lira-h127358.html
30- “Türkiye’de insan hakları ihlali olmadığından emin misiniz Leyla Hanım!”
http://aktifhaber.com/gundem/turkiyede-insan-haklari-ihlali-olmadigindan-emin-misiniz-leyla-hanim-h127362.html
31- “28 Şubat’tan 15 Temmuz’a başörtülü bir hemşirenin hikayesi…”
http://aktifhaber.com/15-temmuz/28-subattan-15-temmuza-basortulu-bir-hemsirenin-hikayesi-h127387.html
32- “Cezaevinden çıkan kadınlar anlattı: ‘Cezaevinde hamile ya da çocuklu olmak rehineliğe dönüştü”
http://aktifhaber.com/iskence/cezaevinden-cikan-kadinlar-anlatti-cezaevinde-hamile-ya-da-cocuklu-olmak-rehinelige-donustu-h127396.html
33- “Türkiye, NBA oyuncusu Enes Kanter hakkında kırmızı bülten talebinde bulundu”
http://aktifhaber.com/gundem/turkiye-nba-oyuncusu-enes-kanter-hakkinda-kirmizi-bulten-talebinde-bulundu-h127402.html
34- “MİT’in adam kaçırma operasyonları dünya basınında”
http://aktifhaber.com/gundem/mitin-adam-kacirma-operasyonlari-dunya-basininda-h127415.html
35- “Şeker Piliç’in sahipleri tutuklandı”
http://aktifhaber.com/genel/seker-pilicin-sahipleri-tutuklandi-h127425.html
36- “Çok sayıda cezaevinde aynı anda soğukla işkence başladı”
http://aktifhaber.com/iskence/cok-sayida-cezaevinde-ayni-anda-sogukla-iskence-basladi-h127444.html
37- “Hapishanede öldürülen Halime Gülsu’nun son mektubu”
http://aktifhaber.com/15-temmuz/hapishanede-oldurulen-halime-gulsunun-son-mektubu-h127449.html
38- “’12 yaşındaki oğlum bile sorgulandı, 25 yıl önceki programdan tutuklandım’”
http://www.shaber3.com/12-yasindaki-oglum-bile-sorgulandi-25-yil-onceki-programdan-tutuklandim-haberi/1318013/
39- “Amerikalı gazeteci: Diktatörünüz sahte bir darbe sahneledi ve kullandı”
http://aktifhaber.com/dunya/amerikali-gazeteci-diktatorunuz-sahte-bir-darbe-sahneledi-ve-kullandi-h127628.html
40- “Anneleri sordu: 5 günlük er Ahmet ve kekeme Recep mi darbeci?”
http://aktifhaber.com/15-temmuz/anneleri-sordu-5-gunluk-er-ahmet-ve-kekeme-recep-mi-darbeci-h127289.html#
41- “Cezaevinden çıkan kadınlar anlattı: ‘Cezaevinde hamile ya da çocuklu olmak rehineliğe dönüştü”
http://aktifhaber.com/iskence/cezaevinden-cikan-kadinlar-anlatti-cezaevinde-hamile-ya-da-cocuklu-olmak-rehinelige-donustu-h127396.html
42- “Hasta tutuklunun durumu ağırlaşıyor”
http://aktifhaber.com/iskence/hasta-tutuklunun-durumu-agirlasiyor-h126915.html
43- “Silivri Cezaevi’nde işkence:Oğlum ziyarete gözü mor, kolunda yara izleriyle ve ayakkabısız getirildi”
http://aktifhaber.com/iskence/silivri-cezaevinde-iskenceoglum-ziyarete-gozu-mor-kolunda-yara-izleriyle-ve-ayakkabisiz-getirildi-h126865.html
44- “Cezaevinde kadınlara saldırı: Apar topar hastaneye kaldırdılar”
http://aktifhaber.com/iskence/cezaevinde-kadinlara-saldiri-apar-topar-hastaneye-kaldirdilar-h126762.html
45- “Amerikalı gazeteciden Enes Kanter’e anlamlı destek”
http://aktifhaber.com/gundem/amerikali-gazeteciden-enes-kantere-anlamli-destek-h127608.html
46- “Amerikalı gazeteci: Diktatörünüz sahte bir darbe sahneledi ve kullandı”
http://aktifhaber.com/dunya/amerikali-gazeteci-diktatorunuz-sahte-bir-darbe-sahneledi-ve-kullandi-h127628.html
47- “Cumartesi Anneleri: Gerçek bir yargı, gerçek bir adalet istiyoruz”
http://aktifhaber.com/gundem/cumartesi-anneleri-gercek-bir-yargi-gercek-bir-adalet-istiyoruz-h127597.html
48- “’Türk gazetecilerin meslektaşlarının hapsedilmesini meşru görmesi sapkınlık’”
http://aktifhaber.com/medya/turk-gazetecilerin-meslektaslarinin-hapsedilmesini-mesru-gormesi-sapkinlik-h127560.html
49- “Türkiye Gazeteciler Sendikası Genel Sekreteri: Medyaya korku iklimi hâkim!”
http://aktifhaber.com/medya/turkiye-gazeteciler-sendikasi-genel-sekreteri-medyaya-korku-iklimi-hakim-h127250.html
50- “112 gazeteciye 547 yıl hapis cezası, 3 bin 230 gazeteciye işsizlik…”
http://aktifhaber.com/medya/112-gazeteciye-547-yil-hapis-cezasi-3-bin-230-gazeteciye-issizlik-h126956.html
As the whole world still struggles to make sense of the shroud of fog over the mysterious case of a Saudi journalist whose sudden disappearance in Istanbul shuddered the international community, a Turkish journalist living in self-imposed exile in Germany has expressed fears over his own wellbeing and his family’s safety in Turkey.
Can Dundar, former editor-in-chief of the opposition Cumhuriyet daily, revealed his deep-seated anxiety and dread over threats by the government of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Speaking in an interview with Deutsche Welle, Dundar said Erdogan’s opponents are at risk everywhere in the world. His remarks came in the wake of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi’s startling disappearance in Saudi Consulate in Istanbul. The incident is still riddled with mystery and enigma, with little answers available over a set of questions about the fate of the critical journalist.
Dundar has found himself again in the crosshairs of the Turkish president as he accused the journalist at a recent press conference in Berlin of being a foreign spy working for foreign governments. In the eyes of the Turkish government, he has already been painted as an enemy figure after the Cumhuriyet, under his editorial watch, published records of Turkey’s arms shipment to the warring sides in Syria in 2015.
President Erdogan vowed to not let him go without a punishment for leaking “classified state secrets.” After serving a brief time in jail, the journalist was released pending trial. He survived an assassination attempt outside Istanbul Caglayan Courthouse.
It was the last straw that paved the way for his departure from Turkey en route to Germany. But the Turkish authorities seized her wife’s passport and did not allow her to travel with Dundar.
In remarks to Deutsche Welle, Dundar dismissed Erdogan’s spy allegations as politically motivated.
When asked about Erdogan’s treason and spy remarks, Dundar called the Turkish strongman a liar.
“Because there are no journalists in jail on terrorist charges. They are all convicted or accused of leaking state secrets, writing against the government, being critical about the government’s policies, etc.. So they are just journalists, not terrorists,” he told Deutsche Welle. “But calling that kind of thing terrorism is a kind of traditional attitude of this government, unfortunately,” he added.
Dundar whose family is still in Turkey is extremely worried about their wellbeing. He thinks that the Erdogan government keeps her wife as a hostage in Turkey.
When Erdogan was invited to Germany for an official visit, the invitation divided political parties and generated a heated debate over how to handle with an increasingly unruly and authoritarian leader. Many parties in Bundestag expressed their opposition to Erdogan’s visit.
When asked about Germany’s response to Erdogan so far regarding the state of political affairs in Turkey, Dundar appeared satisfied with the messages and calls clearly conveyed by the German side to the Turkish leader during his visit to Berlin in late September.
In the beginning, Dundar thought that the German approach was meek and tepid against Erdogan’s crackdown on media and democracy in Turkey. But later, the Turkish journalist has begun to appreciate Germany’s dire challenge to tread a delicate balancing act between pushing Ankara for democratic reforms and the need to preserve the bilateral relationship as smoothly as possible.
On Thursday, writing for Foreign Policy, Steven Cook shared Dundar’s concerns in the face of threats from authoritarian leaders.
“Ours is an era of international thuggishness combined with a total absence of norms. That makes everyone a target,” he wrote, delving into the riddling case of Saudi journalist and recalling the authoritarian shift in the past decade around the world.
From Egpyt to China, from Turkey to Hungary and Venezuela, dissidents and critical journalists increasingly feel less safe. The unknown fate of Khashoggi remains as a dreadful warning and lesson for others to see. Dundar is one of them. Facing Erdogan’s incessant threats, he is right to be concerned and alarmed.
The disappearance or alleged murder of a critical Saudi journalist in the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul has created shockwaves across the world and sent a chilling echo for other Saudi dissidents across the region.
According to the Turkish authorities, Jamal Khashoggi has been killed by Saudi agents and his body was dismembered. Riyadh has categorically denied those allegations and pledged to work with the Turkish officials for a robust and thorough investigation to enlighten the incident.
The international community, already dismayed and alarmed by acts of the increasing violence against members of the media world, is, quite understandably, rattled by the startling case of Khashoggi. And it came after INTERPOL’s Chinese president’s arrest in China, adding a new layer of anxiety over the international fallout of domestic political score-settling.
If the Turkish claims about murder are true, it represents completely a new phase in the crackdown on critical journalists. The venue of the incident, a consulate, serves as a stark reminder for dissidents living abroad about the stakes of any form of engagement or contact with an official body of their home country. No critic would feel safe to enter a consulate or a diplomatic compound of a given country, without having second thoughts after the Khashoggi incident.
The Turkish government appeared appalled and therefore reacted in indignation against the Saudi act breaching diplomatic norms in blatant disregard of the friendly relationship that mostly defined the nature of bilateral ties between the two powers of the Middle East.
Still, the case remains to be a matter of puzzling mystery, with both Turkish and Saudi sides lacking credibility to bolster their narratives. While pro-government media and some anonymous Turkish security sources were quick to squarely pin the blame on the Kingdom, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has struck a measured and cautious tone, refraining from finger-pointing at Riyadh.
Khashoggi was last seen on Saturday. His fiancee Hatice Cengiz told media that he went to the Consulate but never showed up again. The Turkish media released video footage of a group of people believed to be Saudi agents were specifically assigned by Riyadh to kill and remove the journalist’s body. But the Turkish authorities did never offer evidence to back up their claims, while the Saudi side also stumbled in its account of the story by failing to prove Khashoggi’s departure from the Consulate via camera footage.
The issue has expectedly unsettled Turkey’s political landscape and created an uproar. But,
considering Turkey’s own dismal record in mind, Ankara’s concerns for morality and norms ring hollow and seem self-contradictory. Steven Cook, writing for Foreign Policy, addressed such moral contradictions in a recent op-ed.
Not long ago, Turkey’s intelligence operatives, in cooperation with local security agency, conducted a bold operation in Moldova to snatch a group of teachers linked with a civil society movement critical of President Erdogan’s rule.
Here a question emerges. Where did the Saudi regime get such confidence to push the boundaries of handling with critics with that extreme path? The question appears more pertinent after bearing Turkey’s similar operations in mind. It is no exaggeration, after all, to meditate that it was Ankara’s brutal clampdown on opponents at home and abroad with all means available that would have encouraged Riyadh to execute the murder or steered the disappearance act in its consulate in Turkey, but not somewhere else.
In this respect, Turkey’s own practices might plausibly have emboldened Saudi Arabia. Turkey used its own embassy in Kosovo to spirit Gulen-affiliated teachers away from the country. Similar methods also took place in Ukraine, Pakistan, Malaysia and Gabon where Turkey’s diplomatic compounds served as launchpads for conducting operations. Both Ankara’s use of its diplomatic facilities as a cover to disguise its intelligence operations and the disappearance of a journalist in Saudi Consulate in Istanbul mark a new step in countries’ zealous haunt for critics living abroad.
For dissidents, as Cook and all other commentators opined, the message is disheartening and worrisome. Nowhere is safe for free-minded and critical people. The whole world, especially the Western countries with strong democratic traditions, must lend additional voice to condemn, denounce and criticize the disappearance of the Saudi journalist at a diplomatic compound.
Unless the whole world unites in their strong condemnation, the Istanbul incident would set a terrible precedent for future behaviors of autocratic governments in dealing with dissident citizens abroad.
In conclusion, an act of crackdown, overseas operations to target dissidents abroad and the use of diplomatic compounds for such operations would no doubt set an example or a source of inspiration for other authoritarian regimes to follow through. In Istanbul, all contours of such a possibility were abundantly present and pointed. To stop this learning process through copy-past practices from one another’s authoritarian playbook, a collective international response and cooperation is a must, and a long overdue effort that is urgently needed to be employed.