Europe calls Turkey to order on respect for press freedom
(BRUSSELS2) The raids by the Turkish police on several media close to the Muslim political opponent Fethullah Gülen, in particular the television channel Samanyolu, and the arrest of the editorial director of Zaman, are negative signs for the European Union that the Ankara government is no longer running very smoothly.
Against the freedom of the press...
« The police raids and arrests to several journalists and media representatives in Turkey are incompatible with media freedom, who is a fundamental principle of democracy » jointly reminded Federica Mogherini, the High Representative of the EU for deals foreign, and Johannes Hahn, commissioner European in charge of Voisinage in a statement issued on Sunday (December 14). " We wait for that the principle of presumption of innocence prevails et remember the inalienable right à an independent investigation and transparent a cas de alleged fault, with full respect of rights of the accused »
... and European values
This operation, which takes place a few just days after the visit to turkey, carried out by the 3 European Commissioners (Mogherini, Hahn and Stylianids, in charge of Humanitarian Aid) appears as a slap in the face of Europeans who recall that " this operation contradicts of european values and standards whose Turkey souhaite to be a part of ».
An obstacle on the road to membership?
But it could also jeopardize some chances of seeing the enlargement process restart and new chapters open « All new step towards membership with a country candidate depends on full respect for the primacy of the law and fundamental rights A reminder that is not only theoretical. The EU Council of Ministers was due on Tuesday (16 December) to discuss the continuation of enlargement policy, especially with Turkey. " I expect that commitment eu farm given by our Turkish counterparts during our visit translates in action »
