PRESS FREEDOM IN TURKEY

Early day motion 907, tabled 1 February 2017 by Stewart McDonald (Scottish National Party). Signed by 51 members.

That this House is concerned at reports of state censorship, in particular the firing, detention and wiretapping of journalists working for newspapers, websites and broadcasters in Turkey; notes that under the state of emergency and in the run-up to the April constitutional referendum in Turkey, the authorities have been carrying out an unprecedented crackdown on freedom of expression and human rights more broadly; expresses further concern that since the state of emergency was proclaimed, over 100 journalists have been detained without trial, making Turkey the world's biggest jailer of journalists, while 149 media outlets have also been closed; further notes that Turkey is ranked 151st out of 180 countries in the Reporters Without Borders World Press Freedom Index 2016; urges the Government to raise those issues at the highest possible level with the Turkish authorities; and calls for the immediate and unconditional release of jailed journalists.

Signatures by party: Scottish National Party 31, Labour 6, Independent 3, Liberal Democrat 3, Social Democratic and Labour Party 3, Plaid Cymru 2, Conservative 1, DUP 1, Green 1.