US official criticizes Turkish internet restrictions

A US official voiced concerns over Internet restrictions in Turkey at a meeting in Washington this week. At the meeting, held by the US Helsinki Commission, Internet freedom in the member states of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) was discussed. Daniel Baer, deputy assistant secretary of state for democracy, human rights and labor, said the commission is concerned about Internet freedom in Turkey. He stated that more than 5,000 websites, mainly featuring content on controversial social and political issues, are prohibited in Turkey, most under a 2007 law, and that on Aug. 22 new Internet filters and bans based on prohibited words are set to go into effect. "If Turkey desires to secure the modern, prosperous and peaceful structure of its society, it should not limit Internet access, which is a part of human rights," Baer said, adding that the Helsinki Commission will continue expressing concern about Ankara's Internet restrictions and media freedom in general.