Turkey: CFWIJ Condemns Police Violence Against Women Journalists On May 1 Labour Day
Location: Turkey
Date: May 1, 2021Available in: 🇹🇷 Türkçe
Journalists who followed May 1 Labour Day events across Turkey were prevented by the police. Their equipment was damaged and they were battered. At least four female journalists were subjected to police intervention while covering the events. The Coalition For Women In Journalism (CFWIJ) condemns police violence against women journalists. We demand the Turkish state to provide journalists with an environment where they can report safely and freely.
Due to the pandemic, the full lockdown between April 29 and May 17 prevented the gatherings to celebrate Labour Day on May 1. Many people who protested the bans were subjected to harsh police intervention. More than 300 people were detained across the country.
At least four female journalists following the protests on May 1 were prevented by the police while covering the incidents. Their equipment was damaged. Journalists intervened after the ban against the press recording or filming the security forces on duty. Filming and recordings were forcibly deleted.
Dokuz8Haber reporter Esra Tokat, who filmed the police intervention against the gathering in Ankara was also prevented. The police forcefully deleted the footage taken by the journalist, citing the decision of security forces.
In another protest in Ankara, Yol TV correspondent Özge Uyanık was blocked by the police. Confiscating Özge’s mobile, the police threw the device and stepped on it. The images reflected in the video were shared on Yol TV’s Twitter account.
Özge filed a criminal complaint to the Ankara Prosecutor's Office on May 5, following the police attack against her. The journalist stated that the police officer gave an illegal order in her complaint.
Another journalist, Sultan Eylem Keleş, who filmed on May 1, was also subjected to police intervention. Journalists pulling citizens gathering for Labour Day in Izmir were prevented by the police. Upon the objection of Eylem saying, "We are journalists, we are doing our job", the police answered, "There is the order."
Mesopotamia Agency reporter Ceylan Şahinli was also detained while filming the police intervention against the crowd today, in Ankara. Ceylan was released after her statement was taken.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism documented at least ten women journalists were subjected to police violence and four women journalists were detained over the last ten days in Turkey. We closely follow and monitor the escalating tensions and the pressures against journalists with great concern. Journalism is a public right and cannot be prevented. We demand the Turkish state to provide journalists with an environment where they can do their jobs safely and freely.
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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