The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatovic issued a statement on the fifth anniversary of the murder of Turkish-Armenian journalist Hrant Dink saying the OSCE participating States must do more to protect journalists and punish their assailants.

 “As the recent court verdict shows, even five years after Dink’s murder justice has still not been done. If the instigators of violence against journalists are not punished it sends a chilling message to society that such crimes are tolerated,” said Mijatovic. 

“Governments have a duty not only to condemn violence against journalists loudly and resolutely, but also to ensure that these crimes are prosecuted to the full extent of the law. Journalists must feel protected when they report on issues that affect all our lives.”

 “During my visit last December, the authorities assured me that the media freedom situation in Turkey will improve soon. I look forward to continuing working with them on all issues related to media freedom,” the Representative said.

“I continue to monitor the case of Hrant Dink and I also continue to follow all cases in OSCE countries where journalists were killed in relation to their work,” she said. “In too many cases justice has still not been delivered after many years of investigation. The families, friends and colleagues of these journalists, as well as the societies as a whole, deserve to know the truth.”