Turkey: A New Low As Turkey Detains Women Journalists For Reporting Attack On Their Home
Location: Turkey, Ankara
Date: March 2, 2020Available in: 🇹🇷 Türkçe
We condemn the decision to take into custody women journalists who were already unsafe and vulnerable because of an attack on their homes. We urge authorities to stop using pressure tactics to silence free press.
On Saturday, an unidentified group of 15-20 people attacked the homes of three reporters - two of them women - with the Sputnik Turkish Service. The attacks appear to be coordinated since all three homes were attacked at the same time. In a bizarre yet unsurprising move, Turkish authorities have chosen to detain the journalists whose homes were attacked, instead of going after the culprits. The three were taken into custody when they attempted to file a complaint against their attackers. When they first attempted to file a complaint at the local police station, they were instead directed to the Ankara Provincial Police Department. Here, detention warrants were produced for all three and they were taken into custody. Officials then searched their homes and seized their electronic equipment, including their computers. Lawyers were assigned by the Ankara Bar Association for the journalists on Saturday night. During the interrogation, the police reportedly said that the journalists had been detained due to a report by Sputnik International titled "The Stolen Province" about Hatay. At the moment, the journalists have been released after they gave their statements. They are yet to present themselves in court. Turkey continues to show the world how much worse it can make things for journalists, and specifically women journalists. We find it absurd that instead of ensuring the safety of the three journalists, the authorities instead chose to treat them like criminals. We urge authorities to do better, and look into the mob that attacked the homes of our colleagues. It is absolutely not okay for women journalists to live in fear and have their equipment seized, especially when they are already feeling unsafe and vulnerable.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism condemns the attack and detention and demands justice for our colleagues. It is the responsibility of the state to ensure that journalists perform their duties freely
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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.
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