The Media and Law Studies Association (MLSA) has filed an appeal against the travel ban imposed on journalist Sema Korkmaz. Korkmaz, a reporter for Yeni Yaşam Newspaper, was detained on April 3 in Esenyurt, Istanbul, while covering protests against the non-issuance of an official electoral certificate to Abdullah Zeydan, the newly elected mayor of the Van Metropolitan Municipality. After spending two days in custody, Korkmaz was released by the Peace Criminal Court with a travel ban, facing allegations of "propagandizing for a terrorist organization." The MLSA Legal Unit has contested this decision.
In their appeal, the MLSA Legal Unit argued that the travel ban imposed on Korkmaz is disproportionate, as it restricts her journalistic activities, violates her rights to personal freedom and security, and does not serve a legitimate purpose. The unit emphasized the lack of evidence supporting the accusations against Korkmaz and noted that such measures could have a deterrent effect on freedom of expression.
The appeal by MLSA references a landmark decision made last month by the Constitutional Court regarding a travel ban on journalist and human rights defender Nurcan Kaya. Kaya was subjected to a travel ban due to her tweets. The Court, in a precedent-setting ruling, determined that imposing travel bans on journalists violates the right to freedom of expression. This ruling is significant as it sets a precedent in interpreting travel bans as a violation of freedom of expression.
