Turkey: Women Journalists Are Trying To Be Jailed By The State
Location: Turkey, Diyarbakir
Date: June 15, 2021Available in: 🇹🇷 Türkçe
A lawsuit was filed against journalist Ayşe Kara over her articles and her membership in the Free Journalists' Association (ÖGC). If convicted, Ayşe will be sentenced to prison for up to 15 years. The first hearing of the case against Ayşe was held today. The court ruled that the international travel ban imposed on Kara should continue. The next hearing will be held on November 9, 2021.
A lawsuit was filed against journalist Ayşe Kara, who was detained in June 2020 as part of the investigation into the activities of the Democratic Society Congress (DTK). She was released conditionally on the charge of being a member of a terrorist organisation. The indictment within the scope of the investigation was accepted by the Diyarbakır 5th High Criminal Court. The march of the Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) in Mardin she followed in 2016 was also cited as an element of the crime.
Ayşe took the floor to defend herself today and pointed out that she is not a member of the Democratic Society Congress (DTK) and she went to its building to make news as a journalist. Her lawyer Resul Temur also stated that Ayşe has been working as a journalist for a long time. He demanded that the condition of judicial control be lifted so that Kara could go to see her family.
The court ruled to the continuation of the condition of judicial control and international travel ban. The next hearing postponed to November 9, 2021.
Speaking to CFWIJ about the lawsuit against Ayşe Kara, Mesopotamia Women Journalists Platform (MGKP) Spokesperson Ayşe Güney said, “The news made by our colleague is shown as if it is a criminal element. This is a phenomenon that shows the point Turkey has reached in terms of press freedom.” “Because in Turkey, it has become impossible for the press to report on any event,” she followed.
“Especially for our female colleagues, Turkey has become more dilapidated. We are unable to do our job. Now, journalism directed by the government. This is the reason that they are aiming to silence the free press by methods such as detention, arrest, heavy penalties, exile and expulsion from the country,” she quoted.
On June 27, 2020, Journalist Ayşe Kara was detained as part of an investigation launched by the Diyarbakır Chief Public Prosecutor's Office for the Democratic Society Congress (DTK). Kara was accused of terrorism charges due to being a member of the Free Journalists' Association (ÖGC), which was closed by Statutory Decrees (KHK) issued under the State of Emergency (OHAL). She was released with a condition of a ban to leave the country.
Turkey is one of the top countries that use legislation to jail its journalists. Between January and June 2021, at least 56 women journalists were subjected to legal harassment by the state. CFWIJ documented that Turkey is the leading country with the highest number of cases of legal harassment, as of June 15. Authorities should give up using legislation to send journalists behind bars.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism urges Turkish authorities to create a safer environment for women journalists in the country. Women journalists who do their profession shouldn’t be on trial. The state should respect freedom of speech. Journalism is not a crime.
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.