The members of the International Press Institute (IPI), meeting at their 61st Annual General Assembly during the IPI World Congress on 25 June, 2012 in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, adopted by unanimous vote a resolution calling on Turkey to free the many journalists imprisoned because of their work and to respect freedom of the press.

IPI members also demanded that the government ensure that journalists facing charges are afforded due process and that the conditions under which they are detained are improved. The members also demanded that the government ensure that attackers of journalists are held to account and do not enjoy impunity.

IPI members noted that the press freedom situation in Turkey has deteriorated markedly in the last year. After a detailed study, Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatović disclosed in April 2012 that the number of journalists imprisoned in Turkey jumped from 57 in April 2011 to 95 in April 2012, and that about 100 journalists remain in prison.

The figures show that Turkey is one of the world’s leading jailers of journalists and IPI members said they were concerned that many of these journalists appear to have been imprisoned for their work, despite official denials. IPI members expressed concern that Mijatovic’s investigations showed that journalists were frequently jailed for “exceptionally long’’ terms under criminal and anti-terrorism laws which were broadly framed. The IPI members called on law makers in Turkey to redraft laws to prevent them from being used against journalists carrying out their duties and so that they will prohibit extended pre-trial detentions, excessive prison sentences and publication bans.

The IPI members pointed out that journalists’ right to cover sensitive topics, including national security, is fundamental, and that they should not face arrest, criminal charges, imprisonment or any other penalty for doing their job. Many journalists also face multiple trials.

The members further resolved that lawmakers in Turkey who are currently drafting a new Constitution should include language clearly recognising the right to media freedom.