GUE/NGL MEPs have strongly condemned Turkish authorities for attacking media freedom by arresting 32 journalists.

It is unacceptable for a country that seeks to join the EU to carry out a mass arrest of media workers because of the evolving political conflict between President Erdogan and Fethullah Gülen.

Freedom of the press and the independence of journalists are essential values for every democratic state. The EU needs to make it clear to Ankara that this kind of repression jeopardises Turkey's accession process.

GUE/NGL Press Contacts:
Emily Macintosh +32 470 85 05 08
David Lundy +32 470 85 05 09
Gay Kavanagh +32 473 84 23 20
European United Left / Nordic Green Left
European Parliamentary Group