Mr. Chair
Norway is deeply concerned by the arrest of Istanbul’s mayor, Ekrem İ mamoğ lu and many others on 19 March and the following days.
Equally concerning is the detention of several journalists covering the protests, including the heavy penalties on various news outlets for their reporting. A free and independent press is indispensable to the functioning of any democracy.
We invite the Turkish authorities, in accordance with their international obligations and their OSCE commitments, to guarantee the rights to freedom of expression and assembly to their citizens and to allow all journalists and media professionals to work freely and safely.
Furthermore, Norway expects the rule of law to prevail in the case of Mayor İmamoğlu, and in all other cases.
I thank you.