The three former Al Jazeera journalists imprisoned in Egypt for more than 400 days have joined other journalists, artists and activists in an Amnesty International campaign to demand the release of more than 120 journalists jailed in Turkey following last summer’s failed coup.
Mohamed Fahmy, Peter Greste and Baher Mohammed added their voices to the Free Turkey Media campaign which will culminate in a global day of action on World Press Freedom Day, 3 May according to a statement by Amnesty International.
“In the purge that followed the failed coup, Turkey has become the world’s biggest jailer of journalists. Many have been held for months and still have no idea of what they’ve been charged with,” said Gauri van Gulik Amnesty International’s Deputy Europe Director.
In the wake of this month’s constitutional referendum, Gulik said Turkey needs a free media now more than ever and this campaign will show that the world has not forgotten the scores of journalists languishing in jail.
The campaign, run by Amnesty International with the support of PEN, Reporters Without Borders (RSF), Index on Censorship and numerous other organizations, encourages individuals to show support by posting a ‘selfie’ while holding a sign with the hashtag #FreeTurkeyMedia.
Among those that have already backed the movement are artist Ai Weiwei, while dozens of cartoonists around the world are submitting work which will be judged by a panel including cartoonists Zunar, Steve Bell and Martin Rowson.
“If it was right to demand freedom for the Al Jazeera journalists, it is right to demand #FreeTurkeyMedia,” said Peter Greste in a tweet.
“The world stood beside we three journalists – Peter Greste, Baher Mohammed and myself – until we won our freedom. Let’s #FreeTurkeyMedia,” tweeted Mohamed Fahmy.
“#FreeTurkeyMedia. Journalists shouldn’t be behind bars,” tweeted Baher Mohamed on April 21.
