Turkey: CFWIJ Condemns The House Arrest Of Journalist Pinar Gayip
Location: Turkey, Istanbul
Date: January 19, 2021Available in: 🇹🇷 Türkçe
Etkin News Agency (ETHA) reporter Pınar Gayıp, who was detained as part of an investigation in İzmir conducted against the Socialist Party of the Oppressed (ESP). Pınar was released after three-day detention conditionally on a house arrest. The Coalition For Women In Journalism condemns the verdict against Pınar and demands the journalist’s acquittal.
ETHA reporter Pınar Gayıp was detained on January 14, as a result of a complaint filed by a secret witness. In the investigation initiated by the Izmir Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, the journalist Gayıp and her news agency ETHA are accused of spreading propaganda for a terrorist organization.
Speaking to the CFWIJ, Pınar Gayıp said that the only reason she was detained for working at ETHA as a journalist. "They tried to criminalize both my journalistic skills and the Etkin News Agency," she said.
Speaking about her house arrest, "Turkey is one of the top countries where the most imprisoned journalists exist. This house arrest verdict is an intention to show that they do not arrest journalists but keep them out of the field," she said.
Stating that the government does not want journalists to report the facts and truths, the journalist said, “The systematic attacks on the press is always a problem that existed from past to present.”
Pınar Gayıp followed that “The government does not want the lies to be revealed from us. They only wish the facts to be covered up. Therefore, journalists who reveal the truth, are always being targeted,”
She included that the main message is behind the detentions, arrests and investigations are solely aiming to intimidate the journalists. “It is unacceptable for journalists to remain silent in a period when people demonstrate for unfair regulations despite all the pressure,” Pınar said. “If there is a violation of human rights, we should never refrain from writing it. We have to fight. Because it is very clear that if the press silenced, some things will no longer be prevented,” she said.
“This is the reason for the attacks against journalists. We want to be silenced. However, as the defenders of the free press, we will not be silent despite all the attacks and all the obstacles. We will continue to struggle," she continued.
Pınar was arrested and remained behind bars previously in 2018. Her colleague Semiha Şahin and Pınar were detained on April 13, 2018. The next day, they were arrested by the Prosecutor's Office. Both journalists were charged with being affiliated with a terrorist organization. However, Semiha had an additional charge for spreading propaganda for a terrorist organisation. The two were released by the courts into house arrest on June 15, 2019. At their eight hearing of the case the journalists had their house arrests lifted by the court. The trial is still pending.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism stands with Pınar Gayıp and all journalists who have been subjected to any harassment. We reiterate once again the fundamental duty of journalists is to tell the truths and to inform the public. Policies of intimidation against journalists must end immediately. We demand Turkish authorities to acquit journalist Pınar Gayıp. Journalism is not a crime.
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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.