(19 Oct 2012) Following a question raised by the French Senator Michelle Demessine concerning the situation of arrested journalists in Turkey, the French

Minister for Foreign Affairs gave a written response (early in October)

where he starts by underlining that "freedom of expression is a

fundamental right protected by the international law and is part of the

functioning in a pluralistic democracy".

Laurent Fabius states that he cannot intervene in judicial cases but adds : "I can

assure you that I will, through discussions at the European or bilateral

levels, ask Turkey to clarify its legislation in order to better

protect civil liberties". The French minister has also asked the French

embassy in Ankara to closely follow and monitor the situation of

arrested journalists.