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The IFJ represents more than 600,000 journalists in 140 countries
The EFJ represents 320,000 journalists in 41 countries in Europe
Turkey´s failed coup: implications for journalists and unionists, an EFJ-IFJ conference
The International and European Federations of Journalists (EFJ-IFJ) will run a press briefing on Monday 12 in Brussels on the implications for journalists, unionists and human rights activists following Turkey's failed coup.
It will take place in the Press Club Brussels Europe (95, Rue Froissart) from 10 to 12AM. Turkish human rights activist Sanar Yurdatapan and Initiative for Freedom of Expression-Turkey will be among the participants. Mehmet Koksal, from EFJ-IFJ, will be the moderator.
Şanar Yurdatapan is a composer and human rights activist. Born in Susurluk (Turkey) in 1941, he became well-known as a composer and song-writer during the 1970s. In 1979, he established DEMAR (Democratic Artists Community).
Following the military coup of 1980, he left Turkey with his (ex-) wife Melike Demirag – a singer and film actress – and went to Germany where they were obliged to live in exile for over 11 years. The Turkish military regime stripped them of their citizenship in 1983. They were able to return to Turkey in December 1991.
Şanar is the initiator of Freedom of Expression Initiative -1995-, committing civil disobedience actions by republishing banned articles. He received the « Global Human Rights Defender Award » by Human Rights Watch in 2002.
He is regularly attending press trials and initiating civil disobedience actions to defend journalists and human rights activists.