Joe Biden Criticizes Freedom of Speech Situation in Turkey

Joe Biden, the Vice President of the United States, criticized Turkey on Friday for the detention of journalists and pressure on government-critical researchers, stating that the country has failed to be a good example in the area of freedom of speech. According to AFP, Mr. Biden made an unprecedented sharp criticism of a key NATO ally, saying that the performance of the Turkish government under President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is not a desirable example of respecting freedom of speech. In a discussion session with civil society organizations in Istanbul, he said that the U.S. wants Turkey to be a model of 'active democracy' for the entire region. He added, 'The more successful Turkey is in this regard, the better message it will send to the entire Middle East and other countries that have begun to move towards democracy.' He also expressed regret over the recent detentions of journalists, including the arrest of Can Dündar, the editor-in-chief of Cumhuriyet newspaper, and Erdem Gül, the newspaper's Ankara bureau chief, which occurred on November 26 on charges of revealing confidential information. The Turkish prosecutor's office has filed cases against 1,200 academics and researchers who signed a petition protesting the Turkish army's operations in Kurdish areas. Several signatories of this petition were detained for questioning but are still under investigation after their release. The Turkish government has also faced criticism for blocking social media networks such as Facebook and Twitter during newsworthy and critical days, adding to its record of restricting freedom of speech and media. In another part of his speech, Biden said, 'When journalists are detained or pressured for critical reports, when social media platforms like YouTube and Twitter are shut down and blocked, and over a thousand academics and researchers are accused of treason simply for signing a petition, that is not a good example of respect for freedom of speech.' The U.S. Vice President added, 'If people do not have the right to express critical views, opportunities are stolen from the country.' Among the six representatives of civil society who met with Mr. Biden were several prominent journalists critical of the Turkish government. Mr. Biden also met with the wife and son of Can Dündar, the arrested editor of Cumhuriyet newspaper. After the meeting, the journalist's son told local media that Mr. Biden had told him that his father is a brave man and that he should be proud of him. According to AFP, Joe Biden arrived in Turkey on Thursday evening and is scheduled to discuss important issues with Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Ahmet Davutoğlu on Saturday. In the past, Mr. Erdoğan has reacted angrily to U.S. criticisms of Turkey's human rights record. On Friday, Mr. Biden, amid heavy security measures at the site of a suicide bombing by the Islamic State (ISIS) in the historic Sultanahmet district, where 10 German tourists were killed, paid his respects to the victims of the attack. John Bass, the U.S. ambassador to Turkey, who had said in response to the legal cases against critical academics that these actions would have 'destructive and frightening impacts' on the country's political discussions, faced severe criticism from supporters of the Turkish government. Melih Gökçek, the controversial mayor of Istanbul and a senior member of Erdoğan's ruling Justice and Development Party, responded to the ambassador's comments by saying, 'It would be better for him to return to his country because he is not suitable to represent the U.S. in Turkey.' However, Mr. Biden stated in Istanbul on Friday, 'I want to be clear that President Obama and I fully support the U.S. ambassador.' In this context, Biden will discuss border control with Turkish officials.