Turkey: Open Letter – MFRR Urges EU to Act Against Threat to Freedoms in Proposed “Agent of Influence” Bill
The proposed “agent of influence” bill under consideration by the Turkish Parliament poses a serious threat to fundamental freedoms, including freedom of expression, press freedom, and the public’s right to information. With vague language and harsh penalties, the bill risks being weaponized to silence dissent, treating government critics as spies and further undermining judicial independence. As Türkiye moves away from democratic standards, the EU must act decisively by urging the withdrawal of this legislation, prioritizing freedom of expression in its relations with Türkiye, and supporting civil society. This is a pivotal moment for the EU to uphold its commitment to democracy and human rights on the global stage.
December 10, 2024
Dear President von der Leyen,
We are writing to express our profound concern regarding the proposed “agent of influence” bill which has been under consideration by the Turkish Parliament. This draft legislation, initially presented to the Turkish Parliament in November and expected to be reintroduced before the end of the year, represents a significant threat to fundamental freedoms, including freedom of expression and association, press freedom, and the public’s right to information.
The bill introduces a new offense titled “committing a crime against the security or political interests of the state,” and stipulates that individuals who commit crimes in line with the interests of, or under the direction of, a foreign state or foreign organization, that are against the security and political interests of the Turkish state, will face increased prison terms of three to seven years. However, the bill’s vague language and failure to clearly define its terms, coupled with Türkiye’s lack of judicial independence, would enable courts to effectively treat government critics as spies.
The bill is the latest in a series of measures designed to suppress dissent, following the 2022 disinformation law that imposes censorship and punitive actions on journalists and platforms.
By tightening control over civic space, this bill moves Türkiye away from the EU’s democratic standards. The EU must make it clear that such steps are incompatible with the core values of democracy, transparency, and fundamental rights that the EU upholds.
In this context, we call on the European Commission to:
- Publicly call on Türkiye to fully withdraw the bill: An official statement should emphasize the incompatibility of this legislation with democratic principles and the rule of law, and stress that any new legislation must align with international standards to protect freedom of expression, press freedom, and the legitimate activities of civil society.
- Prioritize freedom of expression in EU-Türkiye relations: Ensure that press freedom and the protection of civil society remain central in all EU relations with Türkiye.
- Engage diplomatically and support civil society: Raise this matter at high-level dialogues with Türkiye, and maintain the EU’s commitment to civil society, human rights and freedom of expression in Türkiye.
This is a pivotal moment for the EU to demonstrate its commitment to democratic principles and human rights, not just within its borders but globally. Supporting the journalists, advocates, and citizens of Türkiye who champion freedom and accountability is both a moral imperative and a reinforcement of the EU’s foundational values.
We trust that the European Commission will respond swiftly and effectively to this urgent challenge.
This open Letter was send to:
Ursula von der Leyen – President of the European Commission
CC: Kaja Kallas, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy /
Vice President of the European Commission
CC: Marta Kos, European Commissioner for Enlargement
CC: Thomas Ossowski, EU Ambassador to Türkiye
This statement was produced by IPI as part of the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR), a Europe-wide mechanism which tracks, monitors and responds to violations of press and media freedom in EU Member States and candidate countries, funded by the European Commission.
