EFJ Condemns Police Violence on May Day

The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) condemned the attacks on journalists on May Day and the arrest of Turkish trade union leaders and trade union activists commemorating the 30th anniversary of a deadly May Day attack on demonstrators in Istanbul.

At the demonstration on Tuesday the government banned live transmission by media of the events taking place in Taksim square.

"It is unacceptable for the police to prevent journalists from fulfilling their duty and to arrest peacefully demonstrating trade unionists by using tear gas and other forms of violence", said Arne König, chair of the EFJ. "Several journalists have been beaten and seriously injured by the police. This is completely unacceptable and we ask the Turkish government to take the responsibility."

The EFJ is considering a proposal to send another mission to Turkey in order to analyse the media situation in the country and to give support to journalists and its affiliates there.

"We are calling on the Turkish government to allow the media to work freely and independently so that they can keep the public well-informed about events in the country," König said.(EÜ)