UN reaction to the ‘censorship law’: It creates the possibility of arbitrary interpretation and abuse

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights expressed concern about the adoption of the anti-disinformation law (referred to as censorship law by opposition) in the Parliament, noting that the law contained regulations restricting freedom of expression in the country.

The law proposal prepared by the AKP and MHP, called the ‘anti-disinformation law’ and called the ‘censorship law’ by journalism professional organizations, was adopted two days ago in the General Assembly of the Parliament.

According to Turkish news of VOA the UN High Commissioner for human rights spokeswoman Marta Hurtado said following; “international human rights law, freedom of expression right information is not limited to correct information and it covers all kinds of information and the idea both offline or online. Restrictions on freedom of expression can be considered only in legitimate and necessary cases.”

Hurtado noted that the new regulations created a serious opportunity for abuse and ‘arbitrary, subjective interpretation adding “This brings the risk of further limitation of the right to search, receive, and share information by people guaranteed with convention on civil and political rights (clause 19) which Turkey is a party of as well, in an already very restrictive environment.

The spokesperson added that the regulations also harbored the danger of opening the door to new ways to exert pressure on journalists, human rights defenders and promote self-censorship.