Arrested journalists Dündar, Gül urge EU not to compromise with Turkey

ANKARA

Erdem Gül speaks to the press before being trialed and arrested as Can dündar stands near him. AA photo

Two prominent journalists, who were detained Nov. 26 on charges of espionage and assisting a terrorist organization through a news report on an alleged arms supply to fighting groups in Syria, urged the EU not to compromise on to reach an agreement with Turkey to help stem flows of migrants to Europe.

Can Dündar and Erdem Gül, editor-in-chief of Cumhuriyet newspaper and its Ankara bureau chief, sent a letter to the EU leaders just a day before the Turkey-EU summit that will take place in Brussels to broker a deal on growing refugee issue.

“We sincerely hope that the meeting produces a lasting solution to this problem. We would also like to hope that your desire to end the crisis will not stand in the way of your sensitivity towards human rights, freedom of press and expression as fundamental values of the Western world,” read the letter. 

Dündar and Gül have been sent to Silivri Prison late Nov 26 as an Istanbul court ordered their arrest over the publication of footage purporting to show the state intelligence agency helping send weapons to Syria.

“We remind you that our common values can only be protected by a common stand and solidarity, and this solidarity is both vital and urgent.”

Here is the full text of the letter:

To the leaders of the European Union
As journalists who believe that Turkey is a part of the European family and should be a full member of the Union, we write this letter from  Silivri Prison.

Freedom of thought and expression are indispensable values of our civilization.

We are arrested pending trial for exercising these freedoms and defending the public’s right to know.

The Prime Minister of Turkey, whom you will meet this weekend, and the regime he represents are known for their policies and practices that flout human rights and freedom of the press.

Your goverments are negotiating with Ankara in connection with the migrant crisis which tore our hearts out.

We sincerely hope that the meeting produces a lasting solution to this problem.

We would also like to hope that your desire to end the crisis will not stand in the way of your sensitivity towards human rights, freedom of press and expression as fundamental values of the Western world.

We remind you that our common values can only be protected by a common stand and solidarity, and this solidarity is both vital and urgent.

On behalf of imprisoned journalists
Can Dündar and Erdem Gül