Council's suggested plan from the Commission
In a recent development, Can Dündar, a Turkish journalist living in exile in Germany, has been sentenced to 27 years and 6 months in prison by an Istanbul court for espionage and supporting terrorism. This sentence, following a previous conviction in absentia of 18 years and nine months, has raised concerns about the state of press freedom in Turkey.
The verdict against Dündar is being criticized by German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas as a heavy blow against independent journalistic work in Turkey. Maas, a member of the Social Democratic Party (SPD), has emphasized that freedom of the press is a fundamental right and an indispensable service to society, especially when critical and investigative.
The case of Can Dündar is seen as a test of Turkey's commitment to democratic values and the rule of law. Dündar is accused of obtaining secret documents for espionage and aiding a terrorist organization, for which he was sentenced to an additional eight years and nine months for supporting terrorism.
The Turkish court's decision against Can Dündar has been criticized for potentially undermining the principles of a free and open media. The verdict has been viewed by some observers as an attempt to silence critical voices, a concern that is further highlighted by the lack of an official political statement by the German federal government regarding the conviction of the Turkish journalist in Germany.
The European Convention on Human Rights, to which Turkey is a signatory, includes a commitment to freedom of the press and expression. Maas has reminded Turkey of its commitment to this convention, calling on Turkey to respect its commitments to the rule of law and freedom of the press.
The German government has offered its support to Can Dündar and other journalists facing persecution for their work in Turkey. The sentencing of Can Dündar follows his previous conviction in absentia, adding to the concerns about the state of press freedom in Turkey.
The sentencing of Can Dündar has sparked a debate about the state of press freedom in Turkey, with some viewing it as a step backwards in the country's democratic development. The verdict against Dündar will likely continue to be a topic of discussion and concern in the international community.
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