Turkey: Police Obstructed Four Women Journalists At Protest In İstanbul
Location: Turkey, Istanbul
Date: June 25, 2022Available in: 🇹🇷 Türkçe
Police obstructed and physically assaulted at least four women journalists at a protest they were reporting in İstanbul. The Coalition For Women In Journalism condemns the police brutality against journalists. We demand security officials ensure journalists’ safety, rather than attacking. We reiterate that journalism is not a crime.
On June 25, police obstructed a human rights defenders' protest of Saturday Mothers/People, families of victims of enforced disappearances in İstanbul. Police detained at least 16 people including the head of the Human Rights Association, Öztürk Türkdoğan, a prominent human rights lawyer, Eren Keskin, and several relatives of victims of enforced disappearances from the Saturday Mothers/People. The group convened this Saturday for the 900th time in Istanbul’s Galatasaray Square.
Since May 1995, relatives of people who "disappeared" in their detention have been holding a peaceful vigil in the heart of İstanbul/Taksim Square for justice and demanding from the Turkish state to find their loved ones. Known as the Saturday Mothers/People, they gather every Saturday at noon near Galatasaray High School on İstiklal Street. During the vigil, they hold pictures of their disappeared children, relatives, husbands, and wives. Every Saturday, they hold a press statement about the details of “disappeared” people and usually go in silent to pay tribute to their loved ones.
While reporting the 900th time gathering Etkin News Agency’s Pınar Gayıp, Evrensel Daily reporter Eylem Nazlıer, dokuz8news reporter Fatoş Erdoğan and journalist Zeynep Kuray were physically assaulted and obstructed by the police. Journalists' right to report was violated. Following the Istanbul Governor's Office ban for the Saturday Mothers/People from their vigil as of the 700th week, those who wanted to come together today were not allowed to the field.
The moments when Turkish Workers' Party (TIP) Istanbul Deputy Ahmet Şık and journalist Zeynep Kuray were subjected to violence were captured on journalist Elif Çetiner's camera. Also, dokuz8news reporter Fatoş Erdoğan was attacked similarly. The video footage of the police obstruction was shared on the official Twitter account of the newsroom.
#Türkiye: Cumartesi Anneleri/İnsanları'nın 900'üncü haftasının haber takibini yapmak isteyen gazeteciler @pinargayip, @zeynokuray, @eylemnazlier & @puleragema polis tarafından darp edildi. #CFWIJ, gazetecilere yönelik polis şiddetini kınıyor.
— #WomenInJournalism (@CFWIJ) June 25, 2022
🎥: @CetinerEliff pic.twitter.com/bTiqyAy3sb
In 2022, thus far, the Coalition For Women In Journalism documented at least 29 women journalists who were deliberately attacked and detained while reporting in the field. Despite the circular issued by the General Directorate of Security, which was disseminated at the end of April 2021 to prevent journalists from filming, being annulled by the State Council, the security forces ignore this decision. To prevent journalists from reporting, international press cards are not accepted, and the 'press card' obtained from the Directorate of Communications is persistently asked by security forces. These practices violate press freedom and are unacceptable. We demand an end to police violence against journalists. Journalists should freely do their job.
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.
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