The world's largest press immediately responded to the publication of satire in "De Telegraaf", which is one of the most widely read newspapers in the Netherlands. In the American edition Washington Post Adam Taylor article was published. It was then reprinted in a British newspaper. «The Independent».
After a Dutch journalist was arrested last weekend in Turkey, who allegedly insulted President Erdogan, the most widely read newspaper in the Netherlands published a caricature on the front page on Monday. President Erdogan is depicted as a monkey, apparently attacking freedom of speech in Europe, the journalist writes.
The picture promulgated by the popular daily newspaper De Telegraaf probably depicts Ebru Umar, a Dutch journalist of Turkish origin, who was just arrested in Turkey on Sunday. The cartoon is titled "Erdogan's Long Arm."
Umar, a columnist for the Metro newspaper, was detained by the Turkish authorities, who “investigated” tweets with content on Erdogan. Umar was released on the same Sunday, however, according to her, they ordered to remain in the country, because the investigation is underway.
Detention Umar adds another touch to the constant and growing suppression of freedom of speech in Turkey, and beyond, too, the journalist believes.
Last week, the Turkish consulate in Rotterdam came under criticism after an appeal to Turkish organizations in the Netherlands to report via e-mail “about insults to Erdogan”. The Turkish Embassy later claimed that the information was incorrect and inaccurately worded, however, a heated debate has already begun in the Netherlands, since laws on “insulting the majesty” still exist in this country, as in many other European countries. This law prohibits insulting the friendly heads of state.
Umar was among the critics of this idea of the consulate (about denunciations via e-mail), which compared this practice with the initiatives of the local Nazi party during the Second World War.
By the way, this discussion is not limited to the Netherlands. In Germany, Chancellor Angela Merkel recently stated that she would have brought to justice Jan Beuermann, a comedian and writer known for his caustic style, for the poem he read on German state television (the comedian accused Erdogan of bestiality). If a writer is found guilty under the law of “insulting the majesty” in force in Germany, then Böhermann could face up to three years in prison. The persecution of this man provoked a wave of protest against Turkey throughout Europe. One British magazine even announced a competition for “rude poems” about Erdogan. In Germany and the Netherlands, it’s time to get rid of the laws of “insulting the majesty.”
If earlier Erdogan (who has ruled Turkey for more than 13 years, first as prime minister, then as president) was considered a “modernizer” in the West, now he is accused of authoritarianism. During his presidency, the government persecuted almost 2000 people, allegedly guilty of insulting the head of state. Previously, the relevant Turkish law was used extremely rarely.
In a tweet sent to the network last weekend, Prime Minister of the Netherlands Mark Rutte said publicly that he was in contact with his Turkish counterpart Ahmet Davutoglu on the question of the detention of Umar. Rutte added that the situation "directly concerns our core values: freedom of expression and press freedom."
Turkish authorities are in conflict with the independent press, recalls "Lenta.ru".
The prosecution of the chief editor and correspondent of the newspaper Cumhuriyet, Jan Dundar and Erdem Gul, continues. They were arrested on November 27 of 2015. They are charged with aiding and abetting terrorist groups and espionage.
As for the German Böhermann, then in the scandalous stories with his pursuit, we recall, Angela Merkel herself, who took the side of the Turkish president, was noted.
In March, a satirical video was shown on the TV show “ZDF”. The video cutting of the frames in which the Turkish President “participated” was accompanied by the song “Erdogi, Erdog, Erdogan”. The poems ridiculed the Turkish Sultan’s syberatia and condemned the attacks on journalists. The video was timed to the trial of the above-mentioned Jan Dundar and Erdem Gul, which began in Ankara.
Watching the video, representatives of the Turkish Foreign Ministry summoned German Ambassador Martin Erdman to the carpet. Later at a briefing in Berlin, the representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Germany Zavsan Shebly said that Germany would not make concessions in matters of freedom of speech. The same was thought by Jan Böhermann, who continued to make fun of Erdogan. It came to an oral protest that the German ambassador of Turkey expressed to the German Foreign Ministry, demanding a criminal prosecution of Böhermann. Such prosecution requires the approval of the federal government. The votes in the government were divided in half, for a final decision the opinion of the Frau Chancellor was required. And Angela Merkel made a statement to the media, saying that she "issues a sanction."
The pro-Turkish decision of the chancellor of the German public greeted with hostility. Surveys have shown: 77% of the population of the country consider the investigation against TV presenter Jan Böhermann inappropriate.
It is known that Boehermann will return to the air no earlier than May 12. In early April, he went on temporary leave, promising to "make a trip to North Korea and once again figure out the question of freedom of creativity and the press."
And what about the Turkish Sultan?
And he visited Baku, at the VII Forum of the UN Global Alliance of Civilizations. It is believed that for the Turkish president this visit was of great importance, because after the break in relations with Moscow, Ankara, it is important to maintain influence on the post-Soviet countries. He used the forum site to attack Syrian President Bashar Assad, accusing him of destroying his own people. In addition, the Turks singled out the “peacekeeping role” of their country in the Syrian crisis: Turkey accepted 30 million Syrian refugees, spending 10 billion dollars to keep them. However, Erdogan did not say a single word about the Karabakh issue notes Utro.ru. According to political analysts, Erdogan, who had time to quarrel not only with Moscow, but also with Western partners, now is not averse to improve relations with Russia. By the way, Azerbaijan is interested in this: after all, in the conditions of the Russian-Turkish conflict, this country is, in fact, between two fires.
But what about freedom of speech? Nothing. This topic does not interest Erdogan. It would probably be better for him if the press ceased to exist at all. And journalists would get timelines and languish in dungeons in the company of terrorists.
Observed and commented on Oleg Chuvakin
- especially for topwar.ru
- especially for topwar.ru