Turkey: We Condemn The Inhumane Living Conditions Journalist Ruken Demir Is Being Subjected To
Location: Turkey, Istanbul
Date: January 10, 2020Available in: 🇹🇷 Türkçe
Insects in food, a ban on letters and ignored health complications - our colleague Ruken Demir is being subjected to abysmal conditions while in prison. We urge authorities to be fair in their treatment of detained and imprisoned women journalists.
Ruken was originally taken into custody for “carrying out activities on behalf of a terrorist organization” on November 16, 2019. You can read our statement about her original arrest here.
The Mezopotamya Agency reporter has been banned from sending and receiving letters since her arrest. Authorities have accused her of leaking information, even from behind the prison walls.
According to information received by her brother Hogir Demir, Ruken has been beaten while in custody. She was also forcibly strip searched.
Her left eye has been giving her trouble. Despite the prison doctor confirming her health issue, she has not been able to transfer to a hospital. Her health continues to worsen as she waits for said transfer.
Ruken’s brother spoke about her condition and said, “Ruken has been banned from sending and receiving letters. They claim that she has leaked information through letters. Ruken said that they feed unhealthy things in prison. She mentioned that there are insects, hair, and other such things in her food. She has also not been allowed to read books or newspapers.”
This horrible mistreatment has to come to and end, and quickly. We urge authorities to allow Ruken’s transfer to a medical facility so that she can regain her health. We also ask for her quick release.
These deplorable conditions are fit for no human. Turkish authorities must act with fairness and be reasonable in their treatment of detained or imprisoned journalists. ... 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.
If you have been harassed or abused in any way, and please report the incident by using the following form.