LOC17:21
14:21 GMT
PARIS, March 28 (KUNA) -- The European Council's Parliamentary Assembly
(PACE) on Friday warned Turkey that its decision to ban the popular video
entity "Youtube" was "contrary to jurisprudence by the European Court of Human
Rights" and it told Ankara it should stop blocking this internet outlet.
In a statement from Strasbourg, where PACE is located, Turkey was told that
its ban "raises serious questions on the application of the internet law
adopted last February" by authorities in Ankara.
PACE President Anne Brasseur said that Turkey's restrictions on freedom of
expression need to be strictly designated in a clear framework.
"I call on the Turkish authorities to respect the decisions of the Court
and to refrain from ordering such blocks on internet sites and social networks
as this constitutes an attack on freedom of expression," Brasseur said in the
statement.
The European Council called on Ankara to get their legislation and
practices into conformity with European standards and the jurisprudence of the
European Court of Human Rights.
This should be done "without delay," she said.
The Council of Europe is composed of 47 nations, including Turkey, and it
monitors human rights and democratic practices in its membership. (End)
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