Turkey: CFWIJ Demands Journalist Rojda Oğuz’s Acquittal Immediately
Location: Turkey, Van
Date: June 3, 2021Available in: 🇹🇷 Türkçe
The third hearing of the trial against journalist Rojda Oğuz on charges of being affiliated with an armed terrorist organization and spreading propaganda for a terrorist organization was held in Van today. The court adjourned the next hearing to October 12, 2021, to completely hear the defendant's case. The Coalition For Women In Journalism (CFWIJ), condemns the unfair trials that have been continuing for many years. We demand Rojda’s acquittal immediately. Journalism is not a crime.
The third hearing of the case against journalist Rojda Oğuz was held at the Van 4th High Criminal Court today. Rojda and her lawyer Hüseyin Boğatekin did not attend the hearing with their presentation of their excuses.
The journalist was detained in a police raid in 2016 for participating in the protests of Van Yüzüncü Yıl University students at different times. She was arrested later and taken to the prison in Van. After four months, she was released. The journalist is now facing a prison sentence of up to seven years on charges of "being a member of an armed terrorist organization" and "spreading terrorist propaganda". The protests and marches that the journalist followed, as well as her social media posts and secret witness testimonies, are considered criminal elements in the lawsuit. Allegedly, in the case file, the letter sent by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting did not contain any information or document on the journalist’s profession or whether she had a press card. Her institutional press card, where she worked earlier, was not accepted by the court.
“FOR FIVE YEARS, I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO CONVINCE THE COURT COMMITTEE THAT I AM A JOURNALIST”
Speaking to the Women's Coalition in Journalism about the persecution process, Rojda stated that she was arrested due to her social media posts. Her posts were deemed to be "terrorist propaganda" and were shown as a criminal element. She said, “I was in prison for nearly four months. I was released on an appeal. Since then, I go to court twice a year and try to convince them that I am a journalist.”
Drawing attention to the video series of escaped mafia leader Sedat Peker and journalist Hadi Özışık, Rojda stated that the conversations are proof of where the current mainstream media goes. She also pointed out today's political climate and said, "It shows the response of journalists, especially women journalists, who make news for the public interest, in the Turkish legal system, that I have not been tried in this country for five years."
Referring to the challenges faced by women journalists, “I don't like to distinguish between male and female journalists, but when we live in a society where gender roles are so sharp, our female identity comes to the fore. Here I am a female journalist. I also have a Kurdish identity. So, being Kurdish, being a woman and a journalist, wherever you go in our country, you face serious problems.” she quoted.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism is deeply concerned about the freedom of journalists who are being tried on unfair charges in Turkey to continue their journalistic duties. The essential duty of a journalist is to inform the public about developments and to reveal the truth. We demand the Turkish authorities end their policies of intimidation, taking into account the fundamental rights and freedoms of journalists. We reiterate once again; journalism is not a crime.
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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