The Freedom Observer
We monitor the ongoings of Turkiye in the fields of the rule of law, economics, civil society, and politics.
Son Hikâyeler
Hakkında
RTÜK Blocked Access to '’Voice of America'’ Website, Medium-Term Program and Economic Bureaucracy, ‘’Alcohol Regulation" and Controversies Regarding Lifestyle Intervention.
16 Eyl 2023

The Constitution explicitly safeguards freedom of the press, as outlined in Article 28, which stipulates that establishing a printing house cannot be made conditional upon obtaining a license or depositing a financial guarantee. It is evident that requiring a license to establish an internet news website contradicts this constitutional provision.

Indeed, economic predictability plays a paramount role in Turkey's development. The country faces challenges related to a scarcity of domestic capital, given its savings deficit. Consequently, foreign funding becomes crucial for Turkey's economic growth and stability. Attracting foreign resources and investments hinges upon the establishment of a predictable economic and legal framework.

It's important to recognize that every individual has a unique lifestyle shaped by their personal preferences and values. For some people, alcohol consumption is a part of their social interactions, and it is imperative in a democratic society not to impose restrictions on these preferences and values but rather to safeguard them.

Discussions on General Amnesty, Journalist Barış Pehlivan Arrested for the Fifth Time, BRICS Expansion Process and Turkey.
02 Eyl 2023

Frequent use of amnesties can foster a perception of impunity and potentially serve as an incentive for criminal behavior.

It is crucial to emphasize that the public's right to access the truth can only be realized through journalists who are shielded from censorship and fear. Regrettably, in Turkey, arrests have increasingly been employed as a means of repression against journalists rather than a precautionary measure, ultimately restricting the public's access to reliable sources of information.

The fact that Turkey is not mentioned among the new members of BRICS clearly shows what kind of foreign policy and international trade system it should aim for.

Unequal Execution Regulations Deepen Injustice, RTÜK Continues to Impose Program Suspension Penalties on Opposition Television Channels, Will the Burden of Public Sector Savings Fall on the Shoulders of the Consumer?
17 Ağu 2023

The prosecution and penalization of actions unrelated to violence, aligning more with the exercise of freedoms pertaining to expression, assembly, and association within the framework of terrorism offenses, generates a multifaceted dilemma within the realm of the rule of law.

If the government's aspiration is to elevate Turkey into a prosperous state, it must recognize that selective rational policies will not suffice. A comprehensive approach to rights and freedoms is imperative.

In fact, one of the initial steps taken by Mehmet Şimşek's economic team has been to raise various indirect taxes, particularly the Special Consumption Tax. It's evident that the hikes in indirect taxes are aimed at consumers.

The Constitutional Court Found a Way to Dismiss Freedom of Expression Applications, CHP-Halk TV Relationship Ends, The Central Bank Governor Has Finally been Introduced.
04 Ağu 2023

It should be noted that these decisions of the Court did not rectify the violations of the applicants' rights. Instead of contributing to the resolution of the issues concerning freedom of expression, these decisions obscured the problems.
