Turkey: Journalist Nurcan Yalçin Is Facing Up To 15 Years In Prison
Location: Turkey, Diyarbakir
Date: October 29, 2020Available in: 🇹🇷 Türkçe
As a part of an investigation against Diyarbakır-based Rosa Women’s Association, an indictment was launched against journalist Nurcan Yalçın. Nurcan might face ten to 15 years in prison over charges of being a member of the organization and spreading propaganda. The Coalition For Women In Journalism condemns Turkish authorities intimidation of women journalists and calls for retracting these charges immediately.
Diyarbakır Chief Public Prosecutor's Office lodged an indictment against Nurcan and appealed the journalist to be sentenced to over ten years to 15 years in prison. Charges against Nurcan are “Being a member of an outlawed organization” and making propaganda for the organization”. The prosecutor's office considers Nurcan’s membership of the Rosa Women's Association as evidence against her. Nurcan submitted a memo to the prosecutor denying all these allegations.
Turkey is becoming a vicious environment for women journalists and press freedom in general. The Coalition For Women In Journalism constantly monitors the deterioration of press freedom in Turkey. Many women journalists are accused of vague charges like “member of an organization” or “spreading propaganda to organizations” due to their coverage.
CFWIJ calls upon Turkish authorities to stop targeting and imprisoning women journalists. We demand the retraction of Nurcan Yalçın indictment. We will follow these attempts persistently and keep standing with the journalist’s right to freedom of speech.
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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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