Jail Time Upheld For Kibriye Evren
Location: Turkey, Diyarbakir
Date: September 25, 2019Available in: 🇹🇷 Türkçe
A local court in Diyarbakir has upheld Kibriye Evren’s imprisonment. The Jin News reporter has been behind bars since October 9, 2018. We condemn the persistent censorship of women journalists in Turkey.
Kibriye’s case was in court for its seventh hearing yesterday. The prosecution has asked for a punishment of up to 20 years in prison for her alleged crimes.The journalist stands unjustifiably accused of being a member of a terror group and creating terrorist propaganda, and — like other journalists linked to Jin News — is clearly being targeted for her journalistic work.
She was arrested alongside 142 other journalists and politicians last year. Her lawyers say that the evidence against her is based on posts she has put up on social media, and even includes a picture of her at a picnic. Secret witnesses have reportedly also come forward to testify against her.
According to Bianet, Kibriye told Ulku Sahin of the Journalists Union of Turkey that she is living in deplorable conditions. She found mice droppings and shards of glass in the food given to her. Stationery that she requested for her letters and book have been stopped.
In a statement, Kibriye said: “Freedom of expression means that the right of information and democracy operate. Whatever I did wherever I went was journalistic activities. Press is being shackled. If our right to make news is prevented, Turkey will get hurt”
The next hearing is scheduled for November 12. Her case was heard alongside 12 other Turkish journalists who are behind bars in the widest crackdown on free speech seen in current times.We urge authorities to stop using the legal system to silence journalists. This level of harassment and censure is unprecedented. We urge authorities to release all journalists being held under false charges, and to allow women journalists to continue their work with dignity.
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The Coalition For Women In Journalism is a global organization of support for women journalists. The CFWIJ pioneered mentorship for mid-career women journalists across several countries around the world, and is the first organization to focus on the status of free press for women journalists. We thoroughly document cases of any form of abuse against women in any part of the globe. Our system of individuals and organizations brings together the experience and mentorship necessary to help female career journalists navigate the industry. Our goal is to help develop a strong mechanism where women journalists can work safely and thrive.
Follow us on Instagram @womeninjournalism and Twitter @CFWIJ. Our website is WomenInJournalism.org and we can be reached at press@womeninjournalism.org
The Coalition For Women In Journalism closely monitors the incidents in Turkey with great concern. Since March 8, Women's Day, police violence against women journalists increasingly continues in the country. As the coalition, we urge the Turkish state to provide a free environment for journalists. Following the news is our most fundamental democratic right to report. We demand the immediate release of our detained colleagues. Journalism is not a crime. Journalism cannot be prevented.
If you have been harassed or abused in any way, and please report the incident by using the following form.