Turkey: Writer & human rights activist Asli Erdogan, held on terror charges PEN International

25.8.16

Turkey: Writer & human rights activist Asli Erdogan, held on terror charges PEN International: Erdoğan, who serves as an advisory board member and columnist in the paper, was sent to a jail in Istanbul on preliminary charges of “membership of a terrorist organisation” and “undermining national unity.” Erdogan’s arrest comes amid heightened concerns for rights and freedoms following last month’s failed coup.

While recognizing the right of the Turkish authorities to bring those responsible for crimes during the attempted coup to justice, PEN International calls on the Turkish authorities to safeguard freedom of expression, human rights and respect their obligations under international law during the declared state of emergency and to release all journalists and writers held solely in connection with their peaceful exercise of their right to freedom of expression, as appears to be the case with Aslı Erdoğan.