The Media and Law Studies Association (MLSA), known for running Turkey’s most extensive trial monitoring program, unveiled its 2024 Justice Observation Program Report at an event held on Nov. 22 at the Opera Hotel in Istanbul. The report, titled Thought is a crime, detention is the punishment, analyzes court proceedings from Sept. 1, 2023, to July 20, 2024, and sheds light on significant violations of the right to a fair trial and freedom of expression.
Freedom of expression as a cornerstone of democracy
Opening the event, MLSA Co-Director Veysel Ok emphasized the importance of trial monitoring in exposing flaws in Turkey’s judicial system. “Since 2018, we have been monitoring trials related to freedom of expression,” Ok said. “Our reports document how fundamental rights are eroded, and they not only advocate for freedom of expression but also uphold the rule of law and the right to a fair trial.”
Norwegian Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission Berit Tvete also delivered remarks, underlining that freedom of expression is “not just a value we acknowledge but a principle we must actively protect.” Tvete warned that where freedom of expression wanes, the foundations of a fair and democratic society weaken. She praised MLSA for providing critical insights into challenges facing freedom of expression in Turkey and reaffirmed Norway's commitment to supporting press and speech freedoms worldwide.
Highlights from the report
MLSA Trial Monitoring Coordinator Semra Pelek presented key findings from the report, which is based on 281 cases involving journalists, activists, politicians, and students. The report highlights systematic judicial violations, including severe breaches of fair trial standards.
Panelists at the event, moderated by MLSA Co-Director Evin Barış Altıntaş, explored the theme Judicial harassment against freedom of expression in Turkey.
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Eren Keskin, co-chair of the Human Rights Association, described the deep-rooted challenges stemming from Turkey’s official ideology. Highlighting her personal experiences, Keskin said, “There has never been a time when freedom of expression was more restricted. As a human rights defender, I face 143 lawsuits, a prison sentence of 26 years and 8 months, and fines amounting to 800,000 TL. I have been unable to leave the country for eight years. These are the consequences of expressing dissenting views.”
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Journalist Tolga Şardan, a columnist at T24, traced the current crackdown on journalism to the post-Gezi Park era, describing the government’s use of disinformation laws to target investigative journalists. “The government claims these laws combat fake news, but they end up criminalizing accurate reporting. Journalists uncovering the truth are being sent to Silivri Prison,” he said.
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Gülsüm Kav, representative of the We Will Stop Femicide Platform, addressed the importance of trial monitoring in cases of gender-based violence. Kav recounted systemic failures in the judiciary, noting that her organization observed 1,000 trials in 2022, many of which were dismissed due to impunity. “We monitor trials because the judiciary fails to deliver justice. If they shut down our organization, we will find other ways to fight,” she said.
International perspectives
Nobel Peace Prize-winning journalist Maria Ressa contributed via a video message, highlighting the global pressures on journalists. “Without investigative journalists, democracy cannot function,” Ressa said. She emphasized the critical role of lawyers defending press freedoms in an era of increasing litigation against media professionals.
Concluding thoughts
The event concluded with a Q&A session, where panelists and audience members discussed strategies for defending freedom of expression in Turkey. The MLSA’s latest report serves as both a detailed record of judicial practices and a call to action for civil society and international actors to protect fundamental rights in an increasingly restrictive environment.
