Doc. 8456 2^nd edition
16 July 1999

Conditions of access for journalists to the Öcalan hearing

Written Declaration No. 293

2^nd edition, originally tabled on 24 June 1999

This written declaration commits only the members who have signed it

The undersigned, members of the Assembly,

i.       having noted that the Ankara authorities have imposed difficult practical conditions on the work of both journalists and parliamentarians sent as observers to the Öcalan trial, particularly the arrangements for access to Imrali island and the courtroom and for accommodation and transport;

i.       having noted in particular the treatment of the international press representatives who are in Turkey in order to provide a vital public information service, involving a complete lack of co-operation and in several cases actual infringement of a fundamental right laid down in many Council of Europe conventions, namely the right to freedom of information;

ii.       condemning, in particular, the serious ill-treatment of Italian journalists, namely the sudden and inexplicable withdrawal of the necessary accreditation for access to the trial,

Ask the governments of Council of Europe member states to take all necessary steps to ensure that Turkey respects the freedom of unfettered access to information and grants journalists full freedom to perform their task of informing the public worldwide.

Signed : ¹

Squarcialupi, Italy, SOC

Behrendt, Germany, SOC

Bühler, Germany, EPP/CD

Dreyfus-Schmidt, France, SOC

Felici, San Marino, SOC

Micheloyiannis, Greece, SOC

Pinggera, Italy, EPP/CD

Pourtaud, France, SOC

Rodeghiero, Italy, LDR

Volcic, Italy, SOC

Vis, United Kingdom, SOC

Zhebrovsky, Russia, NR

_________________

Total = 12

¹        SOC: Socialist Group

      EPP/CD: Group of the European People’s Party

      EDG:European Democratic Group

      LDR : Liberal, Democratic and Reformers’ Group

      UEL : Group of the Unified European Left

      NR : Not registered in a group