Turkey: Police Violence Towards At Least Five Women Journalists — CFWIJ Condemns Systematic Tactics To Sİlence Press
Location: Turkey, Ankara
Date: February 23, 2023Available in: 🇹🇷 Türkçe
Police prevented journalist Sibel Tekin and her lawyer from holding a press conference in front of the courthouse where the first hearing against Sibel was held today. At least five women journalists were obstructed, threatened, and followed by police.
Journalist Sibel Tekin was arrested on December 17, 2022, after filming a police car for her new documentary project. She was detained for 43 days over allegedly being a member of an "armed terrorist organization”. Tekin, who was released on June 30, had her first trial at the 26th Heavy Penal Court of Ankara Courthouse today. At the end of the trial, it was decided to return the digital materials other than those subject to expert examination, lift the judicial control condition, and continue the travel ban. The next hearing was postponed to June 8, 2023.
Bir gün de işimizi yaparken polisle muhatap olmasak, engellenmesek, taciz edilmesek ayıp olur!
— M. İrem Afşin 🐞❤️💜🏳️🌈 (@iremafsin) February 23, 2023
Ankara Emniyeti, adliye önünde duruşma sonrası basın açıklaması yapılmasına izin vermedi. Sokaklar boyunca duruşmadan çıkanları polisler sözlü tacizle takip etti. Videoyu anlık çektim. https://t.co/brtk3AfQig pic.twitter.com/8EFW8obZlP
After the trial, Tekin and her lawyer were prevented from making a statement to the press by the police. Journalists present there, including İrem Afşin, Ceren İskit, Esra Tokat, Aslı Alpar, and Melis Ciddioğlu, were first obstructed by the police, then threatened, and followed by the police for a long time after leaving the courthouse.
CFWIJ condemns the systematic violence against women journalists in the field. It is unacceptable for journalists covering news events to be harassed by the police every time. Press freedom should be respected, and journalists should be able to do their job freely. We call on Turkish authorities to ensure the safety of journalists instead of obstructing it. Journalism is not a crime.
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.
If you have been harassed or abused in any way, and please report the incident by using the following form.