Turkey: Another Police Violence Against Women Journalists - CFWIJ Demands An Immediate End To Repression

Threats
Written By 
Location: Turkey, Istanbul
Date: September 5, 2021
Available in: 🇹🇷  Türkçe

At least five women journalists were impeded by the police forces while following September 1 World Peace Day demonstration in İstanbul. The police attempted to confiscate journalist Eylem Nazlıer’s phone, who was filming the police violence against the demonstration. At least four female journalists’ right to report was violated. The Coalition For Women In Journalism (CFWIJ) condemns the constant police violence against journalists. We demand the Turkish authorities end these violations and repression immediately.

Police intervened in the demonstration in İstanbul, Taksim after the governor's office banned the September 1 World Peace Day rally to be organized by the Labor Peace and Democracy Forces in Bakırköy. During the protest, 57 people were detained. The police also prevented journalists to do their job by surrounding them with their shields.

Evrensel Newspaper reporter Eylem Nazlıer was subjected to police violence for capturing the moments when the Istanbul Provincial Police Chief insulted a protesting woman. Attempting to prevent the journalist from filming, the police first confiscated Eylem’s phone, then asked her to show her press credentials. Despite showing three different press IDs, the police were not convinced and forcibly demanded that the journalist show her identity card as well.

Speaking to CFWIJ, the journalist stated that she was constantly harassed by asking for her press card.

The police also intervened with Buse Söğütlü, reporter of Yolculuk Newspaper, while filming the moment of the incident. The journalist was pushed away from the area by the police. 

Buse shared the scenes from her Twitter. She said, "The journalist who covers about tortured detentions and tried to film the experiences of the journalist was also blocked by the police. However, we will continue to do our job.” 

Additionally, at least four female journalists were besieged by the police at the beginning of the protest, violating their right to report.

Etkin News Agency (ETHA) reporter Pınar Gayıp, journalist Zeynep Kuray, Artı TV reporter Merve and Özgür Future's Sevda Erkılıç are among the journalists that the police prevented with their shields.

The Coalition For Women In Journalism condemns the pressure and police violence towards journalists. Journalists are responsible for reporting developments that interest the public. Preventing them is unacceptable. We demand the Turkish authorities to abandon their policies to intimidate journalists.

 

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.

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