OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media urges Interpol to carefully consider arrest warrant requests from Turkey

VIENNA, 23 August 2017 - OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Harlem Désir today urged Secretary General of Interpol Jürgen Stock that the international police organization carefully review  recent international arrest warrants requested by Turkey.

The Representative welcomed Interpol’s decision to suspend the red notice issued for the German writer of Turkish origin, Doğan Akhanlı.

“I am relieved to see that Interpol has decided to lift the red notice, applying the rules of its own Constitution, including Article 3, which aims to protect individuals against persecution,” Désir said.

“Interpol needs to carefully consider each case involving individuals, and in particular journalists, actively engaged in the public debate on Turkey, before deciding about any further action. Interpol must not be misused by any State to stifle freedom of expression,” stated the Representative.

The Representative also raised the case of the Swedish-Turkish journalist Hamza Yalçın, who was arrested by Spanish authorities on 3 August 2017 on an international arrest warrant requested by Turkey. Désir expressed the hope that the arrest warrant for Yalçın will be suspended too, and that he trusts the Spanish court to reach a conclusion soon.

The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media observes media developments in all 57 OSCE participating States. He provides early warning on violations of freedom of expression and media freedom and promotes full compliance with OSCE media freedom commitments. Learn more at www.osce.org/fom, Twitter: @OSCE_RFoM and on www.facebook.com/osce.rfom.