Press freedom 2007

Recep Tayyip Erdogan
Prime Minister
Office of the Prime Minister
Istanbul
Turkey
Fax: +90 312 417 04 76 / 417 05 73

Köksal Toptan
Speaker of the Parliament
Fax: +90 312 420 69 09

Besir Atalay
Minister of Interior
Fax: +90 312 418 12 60

Your Excellencies,

 The Vienna-based South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO), a network of editors, media executives and leading journalists from South East Europe and an affiliate of the International Press Institute (IPI), is deeply concerned about the death of Kasim Ciftci, owner of the Hakkari Province Voice.

According to information before SEEMO, on 22 September 2007, at 12.30, eyewitnesses saw two people arguing near the ruins of old Van City, southeastern Turkey. Suddenly, the conversation turned into a fight, when the other man shot Ciftci and then left the area.

SEEMO is deeply concerned about the attack. We urge Your Excellencies to do everything in your power to investigate this case and to prevent such cases from occurring in the future. Media workers must be able to work freely.

We thank you for your attention.

Yours sincerely,

Oliver Vujovic

SEEMO Secretary General