Türkiye: PEN International joins cultural and media associations in condemning defamatory film series about Osman Kavala on TRT streaming service
23 June: PEN International, Turkish-German Forum of Culture, PEN Centre Germany, aspiring PEN Berlin, Academy of Science and Reporters without Borders are deeply concerned about the broadcast of a film series on the streaming service of the Turkish state broadcaster TRT, which shows a discrediting and disparaging portrayal of cultural promoter and intellectual Osman Kavala.
This is despite the fact that Kavala was unlawfully sentenced to aggravated life in prison in Türkiye on 25 April 2022, on trumped-up charges – a sentence that is not even final and is being condemned by the international community, including Germany. The European Court of Human Rights has repeatedly called on the Turkish government to immediately release Osman Kavala and other political prisoners such as Selahattin Demirtaş.
Considering the close relations between Türkiye and Germany, we appeal to the European Commission, the German Government and the Foreign Office, as well as to all concerned authorities and institutions to take appropriate steps and express their concern about this unacceptable action and such propaganda.
The TV series defaming and disparaging Osman Kavala as an enemy of the state is another alarming step taken by the AKP government, which goes beyond the limits of human and legal principles. As a broadcaster that also reaches a significant number of Turkish-speaking people in Germany, TRT has a responsibility towards truth, objectivity, and the protection of human rights. Broadcasting such a program, which also appears to be aimed at inciting the Turkish public against Osman Kavala, is a violation of journalistic ethics and respect for the fundamental rights of a detainee.
Turkish-German Forum of Culture, PEN International, PEN Centre Germany, aspiring PEN Berlin, Academy of Science and Reporters without Borders also ask other civil society organizations and the international community to continue to advocate for the release of Osman Kavala and all political prisoners in Türkiye.