Need for public debate in post-conflict situations

VIENNA, 25 November 1999 - Freimut Duve, the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, spoke today at the OSCE Permanent Council.

In his address, Duve pointed out that freedom of expression and public debate were also essential for reconciliation in any post-conflict situation, Turkey being no exception. In this regard he mentioned the case of the Turkish book titled Mehmedin Kitabi. The book contained interviews with soldiers who fought in the Southeast. It had been well received by the public. However, Mehmedin Kitabi was banned in June upon request from the Deputy Chief of Staff of the Turkish Armed Forces. The editor, Nadire Mater, would go on trial tomorrow for "insulting the military" according to article 159 of the Turkish Penal Code and faced one to six years in prison. Duve believed that this was not the right step in a process of reconciliation.

The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media briefed the Permanent Council on his continued focus on how to ensure the safety and security of media professionals in conflict areas. He announced that in the year 2000 his Office planed to invite OSCE Participating States to develop a joint OSCE approach in trying to solve this important problem. Duve believed that more media organizations should follow the example of the BBC in organizing special courses for journalists travelling to conflict areas. These should be specific courses tailored to the needs of media professionals and not just an extension of similar courses held by the military. Here OSCE as a regional organization could help.

Duve also referred to the case of Alexander Nikitin, who was arrested in February 1996 for writing a report to the Norwegian environmental group Bellona on the Russian fleet in the Arctic Sea. Nikitin once again faced charges in a St. Petersburg Court for espionage and divulging information on state secrets. Duve hoped that the Russian authorities would resolve this issue soon and in favor of freedom of expression.

MEDIA CONTACT: Representative on Freedom of the Media, Kärntner Ring 5-7, Top 14, 2.DG, A-1010 Vienna, Austria, Tel.: (+43-1) 512 21 45-0; Fax: (+43-1) 512 21 45-9; e-mail: [email protected]