Twenty Nine Turkish Twitter users on trial while Turkey hosts key UN Internet summit.

Twenty Nine Turkish Twitter users on trial while Turkey hosts key UN Internet summit. (AmnestyInt).

The Turkish government’s prosecution of Twitter critics is a deeply hypocritical stance for the host of the Internet Governance Forum, Amnesty International said today. The organization called on future hosts to set a better example while highlighting violations of Internet freedom by the US, Ethiopia, Saudi Arabia and Viet Nam.

The event, which takes place in Istanbul between 2 and 5 September, brings together governments and civil society to share best practice on Internet regulation, security and human rights. Twenty-nine Twitter users are being tried in Izmir, Turkey, and face up to three years in jail for posting tweets during last year’s protests that the authorities claim “incite the public to break the law”. None of the tweets contained any incitement to violence.

“It’s astounding to see Turkish authorities plough on with the prosecution of Twitter critics, even as they host a discussion on Internet governance where human rights are a key theme,” said Sherif Elsayed-Ali, Deputy Director of Global Issues at Amnesty International.

“Such double standards on freedom of expression online are a particularly bitter irony for the dozens of Turkish Twitter users facing trial for tweeting about last year’s protests.”

The 29 are the latest in a long line of government critics prosecuted or convicted for their social media posts.

29 women and men in the city of Izmir, Turkey, are being prosecuted for sending tweets during last year’s protests across the country.

All 29 people are being accused of “inciting the public to break the law” and could face up to three years in prison.

Three of them are also accused of ‘insulting’ the Prime Minister, who is named as a victim in the case.

The tweets provided information such as locations where the police were using force against demonstrators, passwords for available wireless networks in the protest area, or contained opinions and messages of support for the demonstrations. None of the tweets contain any incitement to, or indication of participation in, violence.

No evidence presented in court points to criminal conduct that is not protected under international human rights standards on the right to freedom of expression. Three hearings have already taken place.

The prosecution suggests authorities aim to discourage others from using social media in a country where Twitter was briefly blocked earlier this year. If imprisoned Amnesty International would consider all 29 individuals prisoners of conscience.Read the full story here.