Location: Turkey, Istanbul
Date: February 6, 2021

Available in: 🇹🇷  Türkçe

Police intervened in the press briefing of the United Struggle Forces (BMG) establishment yesterday. Two female journalists were detained while following the press briefing. While Mesopotamia Agency (MA) reporter Rojin Altay was released early this morning, the detention period of reporter Zarife Çamalan from Alınteri Newspaper was extended. The Coalition For Women In Journalism (CFWIJ), condemns the police violence against journalists and demands the immediate release of journalist Zarife Çamalan.

Police intervened to the crowd before the BMG announced its establishment in Istanbul Kadıköy. Mesopotamia Agency reporter Rojin Altay and Alınteri Newspaper’s Zarife Çamalan were detained with 49 people.

Although Rojin was released after her testimony today, the detention period of Zarife Çamalan was extended. Zarife, who was reported to have health problems, was not allowed to meet with her lawyer Ekin Güneş Saygılı.

Speaking to CFWIJ about Zarife, her colleague Mürüvet Küçük stated that the journalist had been detained many times before. Mürüvet said, “The current political government declares anyone who is opposed to them as a terrorist. Our reporter Zarife Çamalan, who was detained in Kadıköy yesterday is one of those as journalists,"

She continued by emphasizing that Zarife Çamalan has followed many workers' resistance, student and women's protests so far. She added that “As if that wasn't enough, those detained by the Istanbul Governor and then the Minister of the Interior were declared terrorists. Both Zarife and all opposition press have repeatedly proved that they will not submit to these policies of pressure and intimidation. This will be the case from now on,”

Since the beginning of 2021 CFWIJ documented six women journalists were detained while following the news on the grounds in Turkey. We are deeply concerned about the increasing repression against journalists in the country. We demand the Turkish authorities end their intimidation policies and release Zarife immediately. 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.

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