Hamamboculeri.org: Alternatif Haber,Ingilizce, 21 Ekim 2002
European Journalists Protest Over Violation of Rights in Northern Cyprus
The European
Federation of Journalists, which represents more than 200,000 journalists
throughout Europe, today voiced its strong support for Cypriot and Spanish
journalists after police evicted a group of them from the Turkish occupied part
of Nicosia.
On Monday a
group of Spanish journalists, taking part in a European Union supported seminar
were kicked out of the area by Turkish Cypriot police who disrupted their
meeting.
The group had
passed the green line officially in order to meet non-governmental organisations
and Turkish Cypriot journalists.
The meeting
had just started when police showed up and asked the group to leave. They
threatened to use force if they did not leave voluntarily.
“Once again
we see the hard-faced attitude of the Ralf Denktash administration,” said
Gustl Glattfelder, EFJ Chairman, “This regime has no interest in press freedom
or the free flow of information. This hostile action is a flagrant violation of
internationally recognized fundamental rights.”
The European
Federation of Journalists is demanding that the Turkish Government reins in the
Denktash regime “to prove that they are serious about press rights and
freedoms” and the seriousness of its application to join the European Union.
“This
continued harassment and intimidation of journalists going about their lawful
business is completely unacceptable,” said Glattfelder, “It is time for
Turkey to show that it means what it says when it talks about democracy and
human rights in the region.”
Further information: + 32 2 235 22 00