Right to Communication Non-Existent in Turkey?

By Ilnur Cevik [*The New Anatolian]

The Turkish constitution specifies in very clear terms that citizens will enjoy freedom of travel and communications. However, in practice this article of the constitution has been violated systematically in Turkey both by state institutions and even by private persons.

Phone tapping and eavesdropping has become a way of life for the security forces. In recent years authorities have ordered wide spread phone tapping in the name o preventing crime and terrorism. Under objections from western circlers eavesdropping has been subjected to some li8mitations at least on paper where the security forces need a court order for phone tapping.

However, this really has not deterred officials ordering phone tapping… A heavy penalties court in Ankara has recently given authority to the police to widely use phone tapping to "monitor" potential criminals. Of course such measures are open to abuse both by officials and individuals.

Such widespread authority should never be given to any authority.

To read the full column, go to http://www.thenewanatolian.com/opinion-32363.html.