Turkey: At Least Five Women Journalists Were Brutally Attacked At The 19th Istanbul LGBTI+ Pride – CFWIJ Condemns The Police Violence

Location: Turkey, Istanbul
Date: June 26, 2021

Available in: 🇹🇷  Türkçe

At least five female journalists were brutally beaten and intervened by police while following the LGBTI+ Pride in Istanbul. The Coalition For Women In Journalism (CFWIJ) condemns the escalating police violence against journalists in the country. We demand the security forces ensure journalists safety and provide a free and safe environment, rather than attacking them.

Police intervened in the 19th LGBTI+ Pride in Istanbul. Many LGBTI+ were detained during the demonstration. At least five female journalists were prevented following the events. Journalists were also beaten by the police.

Sendika.Org reporter Derya Saadet was among the battered journalists. While the journalist was filming the detention of a protester she was pushed by the police and a table was thrown on her.

Another in a series of incidents of police violence today @sendika journalist @derya_saadet was assaulted - and dragged on the ground #İstanbul's #pride demos. #CFWIJ learns from the ground that many #journalists documenting police violence are being cornered and targeted. pic.twitter.com/vjiaGhgkNx

— #WomenInJournalism (@CFWIJ) June 26, 2021

Speaking to CFWIJ, the reporter stated that she was exposed to tear gas and rubber bullets fired by the police four times while following the events in İstanbul. The journalist said that while filming the Pride, the police once again shook her arm and shouted at her. Stating that she and her colleagues were subjected to both verbal and physical violence many times, Derya quoted, “It is clear where the police order came from. There is no other explanation for attacking us. What they are doing is illegal. Journalists cannot be prevented from doing their job,”.

Ayşen Şahin, a columnist for Evrensel Newspaper, who followed the LGBTI+ Pride, was also attacked. Despite saying she was ‘press’, the police prevented her from filming the incidents. Ayşen posted the moments of the police attack on her Twitter account.

Another prevention was made to Cumhuriyet Newspaper reporter Tuğba Özer. As well as Ayşen, Tuğba was prevented from filming the detention of demonstrators. In the video she shared on her Twitter account, Tuğba said, "The police in Cihangir are detaining everyone who reacts to the detentions. Journalists are also blocked from the scenes.”

Etkin News Agency (ETHA) reporter Pınar GayIp was among those who followed the Pride in Istanbul. Speaking to CFWIJ, the journalist reported that everyone who participated in the Pride was beaten by the police.

Reporter Elif Ünal, who has been following the events for the Yeşil Gazete, also took to her social media account that the police tried to detain her three times. “Journalist Evrim Kepenek, from Bianet, rescued me from the police who tried to take me into custody three times, despite showing my press credentials while I was covering the pride for Yeşil Gazete,” she quoted.

The Coalition For Women In Journalism condemns the appalling police brutality against journalists following the LGBTI+ Pride in Istanbul. The most fundamental right of journalists is to follow the mass movements and developments in the field and convey them to the public. Security forces are responsible for providing the environment for journalists to do their jobs in a free and safe manner. Journalists cannot be prevented from doing their coverages.

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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