New statement from Yılmaz Tunç regarding the Instagram ban: 'The problem will be resolved...'
The Instagram ban in Turkey has entered its fourth day. While there is curiosity about when the platform will be reopened, a statement on the matter came from Minister of Justice Yılmaz Tunç. Stating that "the decision made by the BTK was related to catalog crimes," Tunç said, "If the social media company removes the content that the BTK cited as the reason for the shutdown, the problem will be resolved."
12punto
Minister of Justice Yılmaz Tunç made statements regarding current issues.
Speaking about the access ban imposed on Instagram, Tunç said that the platform has not yet carried out the content removal requests made by the BTK.
Tunç also spoke about prosecutor Mücahit Şamil Koca, who was assaulted at a restaurant in Ordu. Criticizing the attitude of the press, Tunç said, "It is necessary not to present the incident in a one-sided manner without verifying it from the beginning. It is necessary to determine the accuracy and broadcast accordingly. One ends up having to apologize later. It is an unpleasant situation for the press."
Highlights from Minister Tunç's statements are as follows:
ASSAULT ON PROSECUTOR AND HIS FAMILY AT A RESTAURANT
“The baby falling to the ground and getting injured saddened us. We convey our best wishes for a speedy recovery. Such incidents are not pleasant. The development of the incident, who is at fault, those who will make the necessary decision there are the authorized judicial authorities... The incident was told differently, especially on social media and in some press organizations. It is necessary not to present the incident in a one-sided manner without verifying it from the beginning. It is necessary to determine the accuracy and broadcast accordingly. One ends up having to apologize later. It is an unpleasant situation for the press.”
WILL ACCESS TO INSTAGRAM BE RESTORED?
What we call catalog crimes; such as child abuse, terror crimes, crimes committed against Atatürk, illegal betting... When there is a publication on the internet related to catalog crimes, the authority to stop this publication is an authority given to the BTK. Here, the BTK, which uses this authority, notifies the relevant social media organization of the reasons for its decision to stop the publication. First of all, it notifies them regarding the removal of this publication. If this authority is one that constitutes a crime, the involvement of investigative authorities is in question.
The BTK's justifications were notified to the relevant social media company. The Republic of Turkey is a state of law. Everyone will obey the laws. Social media organizations operating in Turkey will obey the laws of our country. No one has any privileges.
If there is a duty given to the state regarding the prevention of crimes committed on the internet, the state must perform this duty together with its institutions... It was stated that the decision made by the BTK was related to catalog crimes. If the social media company removes the content that the BTK cited as the reason for the shutdown, the problem will be resolved.