Cumhuriyet’s Request Removes Media Ban in Yüksekova Killings

Upon the request of Ayşe Yıldırım from Cumhuriyet newspaper, Hakkari Peace Court judge Kenan Olgun removed the media ban related to the killing of three Turkish soldiers in the southeastern district of Yüksekova on October 25. The judge took the decision, saying that the ban depended on abstract terms and didn’t explain the reason of the ban in tangible terms. 

The ban on dead bodies, however, will resume until the end of investigation. 

On November 26, Yüksekova Court Authorities issued a media ban on the coverage of 3 soldiers’ death scenes and their funeral ceremonies. According to that, no written, visual or audio content is allowed to be broadcasted online or other media means. The ban was grounded on Media Law Article 3 and Constitution Article 26 regarding the healthy manner of an investigation, public order and public principles. 

General media ban “inappropriate”  

The ruling was issued on November 28, however it arrived to the media outlets yesterday. 

Judge Olgun took the decision on the grounds that such ban would violate the “appropriateness” principle in a democratic principle according to European Declaration of Human Rights Article 10 and Constitution Articles 13, 26 and 28.  

Partial ban: “Until the end of investigation”

The ruling also cited that the ban of showing dead soldier bodies would continue as otherwise it would create an outrage in the public and used a propaganda. (EÖ/BM)

* Click here to read the article in Turkish.