Turkey: Sultan Eylem Keleş Physically Assaulted, Obstructed By Police While Reporting On Evictions In Istanbul
Location: Turkey, İstanbul
Date: August 22, 2022Available in: 🇹🇷 Türkçe
Sultan Eylem Keleş was physically assaulted and obstructed by the police while following violent evictions on the pretext of urban development in Beykoz district, Istanbul. The Coalition for Women in Journalism (CFWIJ) condemns the police interference and calls on the authorities to allow journalists to report freely without fear of government retaliation.
On August 22, citizens in Tokatköy, Beykoz district clashed with the police after municipality authorities began forcefully evicting residents as part of an urban development project. The matter is before the courts and the residents reportedly have a stay order against evictions. Despite this, the district authorities proceeded against the residents resulting in civil unrest.
Video footage of protestors and journalists being violently chased by the police surfaced on social media as well as reports of KRT TV channel’s crew being harassed.
Beykoz'da kentsel dönüşüm gerekçesiyle yurttaşların evlerinden zorla tahliyesini izleyen aralarında üyelerimiz @ismailari_ ve @esultankeles ‘in de olduğu haber takibindeki gazeteciler polis tarafından yaka paça alandan uzaklaştırıldı. Elinizi gazetecilerin üzerinden çekin! pic.twitter.com/swcktKtxvd
— DİSK Basın-İş (@Disk_Basin_is) August 22, 2022
During the civil unrest, it was reported that a citizen tried to commit suicide throwing himself down from the roof top of a building. Family members tried to dissuade him from this suicide attempt.
Video footage emerged of protestors and journalists being violently chased away by police. The KRT TV crew was also harassed. Despite the protests, police and district authorities began demolitions in the neighborhood.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism is appalled at the impunity with which the police and district authorities acted against both journalists and residents of the area. The use of excessive force against journalists and citizens is unacceptable. We stand in solidarity with Sultan Eylem and condemn the attack on her. Turkey frequently flares red on our risk map for women journalists with police and judicial overreaches against the press becoming increasingly common. We call on the authorities in Turkey to allow the independent press to report freely, especially on matters of public interest, without fear of state reprisal. We emphasize, no country can hope to thrive without a robust and independent press.
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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