The Global Network Initiative urges Turkey to restore full access to Twitter and YouTube, and ensure access to communications and the free flow of information, particularly in advance of local elections on March 30.
GNI Executive Director Susan Morgan said, “By dramatically ramping up censorship of social media, the Turkish government—already the world’s top press jailer according to the Committee to Protect Journalists—appears determined to repress free expression rights online as well as offline.”
GNI is also concerned about reports indicating Turkey is attempting to block downloads of anonymity software Tor, which has enabled thousands of people in Turkey to circumvent the ban.
GNI urges the Turkish government to implement yesterday’s court ruling that overturned the Twitter ban, fully restore access to all services and ensure a free and open Internet. As the host the 2014 Internet Governance Forum, Turkey should not be flagrantly obstructing the ability of its citizens to exercise their fundamental rights.