As part of the lead-up to Turkey’s Universal Periodic Review (UPR) process in May, the Media and Law Studies Association (MLSA) participated in an informational meeting in Geneva on Feb. 20, emphasizing significant setbacks in free speech and digital rights in Turkey over the past four years.
Speaking via video link, MLSA General Coordinator Batıkan Erkoç stated that since Turkey’s last review period, the country has failed to take expected steps to protect freedom of expression. Instead, it has introduced restrictive social media laws and passed a controversial 2022 disinformation law, further eroding free speech.
MLSA pointed out that in 2023 alone, Turkish authorities blocked access to more than 15,000 news articles. Despite a Constitutional Court ruling against such practices, Criminal Judgeships of Peace continue to impose access bans on various legal grounds.
The presentation also stressed the need for Turkey to repeal its disinformation law and end measures such as the detention and imprisonment of journalists.
What is the Universal Periodic Review?
The Universal Periodic Review (UPR) is a United Nations mechanism that assesses the human rights record of each member state every four years. It allows countries to review one another’s human rights practices, with input from civil society organizations through reports and informational meetings.
MLSA submits three reports for Turkey’s UPR
Ahead of Turkey’s UPR in May, MLSA submitted three separate reports. In collaboration with the UK-based Small Media Foundation, one report focused on findings related to free speech and digital rights in Turkey. Another, based on MLSA’s court monitoring data, detailed human rights violations concerning freedom of expression.
Additionally, MLSA co-signed a report prepared by the Human Rights Defenders Solidarity Platform, documenting violations against human rights advocates in Turkey.
