This blog post was published under the 2015 to 2024 Conservative government

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Leigh Turner

Ambassador to Austria and UK Permanent Representative to the United Nations and other International Organisations in Vienna

Part of FCDO Human Rights UK in Turkey

2nd November 2015

Crimes against journalists

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Today, 2 November, is ‘International Day to end impunity for crimes against journalists.’

This really matters, for Turkey as for every country.

As I wrote in my blog of 2 October about Ahmet Hakan, Turkey: media freedom, stability, security, ‘democracy, human rights and the rule of law are essential to peaceful, resillient and prosperous societies. Imagine a country run on the opposite principles.’

My blog of 20 October about a press conference in Istanbul, Expression should be free, noted that ‘without freedom of expression and the rule of law, no democracy can flourish.’

Today, Turkey is digesting Sunday’s elections and preparing for the future. I wish the country every success. As I said in my blog of July 2013, Why Britain Likes Turkey, ‘The more democratic, stable and prosperous Turkey becomes, the better for Britain.’

Follow Leigh Turner on Twitter @LeighturnerFCO

About Leigh Turner

I hope you find this blog interesting and, where appropriate, entertaining. My role in Vienna covers the relationship between Austria and the UK as well as the diverse work of…

I hope you find this blog interesting and, where appropriate, entertaining. My role in Vienna covers the relationship between Austria and the UK as well as the diverse work of the UN and other organisations; stories here will reflect that.

About me: I arrived in Vienna in August 2016 for my second posting in this wonderful city, having first served here in the mid-1980s. My previous job was as HM Consul-General and Director-General for Trade and Investment for Turkey, Central Asia and South Caucasus based in Istanbul.

Further back: I grew up in Nigeria, Exeter, Lesotho, Swaziland and Manchester before attending Cambridge University 1976-79. I worked in several government departments before joining the Foreign Office in 1983.

Keen to go to Africa and South America, I’ve had postings in Vienna (twice), Moscow, Bonn, Berlin, Kyiv and Istanbul, plus jobs in London ranging from the EU Budget to the British Overseas Territories.

2002-6 I was lucky enough to spend four years in Berlin running the house, looking after the children (born 1992 and 1994) and doing some writing and journalism.

To return to Vienna as ambassador is a privilege and a pleasure. I hope this blog reflects that.

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