Turkiye: Satirical Cartoonist Zehra Ömeroğlu Faces Prison Sentence For “Obscenity”
“Humor seems very scary to whoever is in power because humor undermines power” - Zehra Ömeroğlu
Location: Turkiye
Date: October 5, 2022Update: January 24, 2024
Zehra Ömeroğlu, a cartoonist known for her work in independent, satirical magazines such as Bayan Yanı and Leman, is facing obscenity charges for her tongue-in-cheek pandemic-related cartoon. Ömeroğlu’s trial has been ongoing since 2022, she has faced repeated postponements elongating the judicial harassment and raising concerns that she will not receive a fair and transparent hearing. If convicted, she faces up to three years behind bars. The Coalition For Women In Journalism and Women Press Freedom vehemently condemns the charges brought against Ömeroğlu. We call for an immediate conclusion to this case, urging that all charges against the cartoonist be dropped.
“It is truly surprising that a cartoon I drew to make people laugh at the beginning of the pandemic, when we all felt very bad and had to stay at home, has made it to this place,” cartoonist Zehra Ömeroğlu told Dirken, highlighting the absurdity of the criminal case launched against her for her 2020 cartoon in a satirical magazine.
Ömeroğlu's prosecution stems from a cartoon published in Leman on November 25, 2020, depicting a sex scene with the caption "Pandemic sex... At least I didn't lose my taste and my smell..." The cartoon, deemed by authorities as "obscene," has led to legal action against Ömeroğlu, including the possibility of imprisonment ranging from six months to three years, as well as a fine.
“Readers who see the cartoon cannot believe that punishment is sought for such a cartoon”
“Readers who see the cartoon cannot believe that punishment is sought for such a cartoon. When I went to testify, the gendarmerie, then the lawyers, and even everyone else who saw the caricature during the trial laughed a lot and were surprised,” says Ömeroğlu.
Her trial, which began on October 5, 2022, has been marred by repeated postponements. The most recent delay, occurring on January 24, 2024, was attributed to the Obscene Publications Commission's failure to submit a report determining the cartoon's alleged obscenity. The commission, under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Family and Minor Prosecution Services, has repeatedly delayed the trial process, further jeopardizing Ömeroğlu's rights. The next hearing is slated for April 16, 2024.
On January 24, 2024, Cartooning For Peace issued a press release condemning the repeated postponements as a violation of Ömeroğlu's right to a fair trial, as guaranteed by Article 6 of the European Convention on Human Rights.
The media coverage of Ömeroğlu's case has attracted widespread attention and support, but it has also triggered a campaign of harassment on social media platforms. Ömeroğlu has also faced death threats. This harassment not only undermines Ömeroğlu's personal safety but also highlights the broader challenges faced by women journalists and cartoonists in Turkiye. “This process and the political climate we are in are damaging not only for me or the magazine but also for freedom of expression and artistic production,“ says Ömeroğlu.
“Humor seems very scary to whoever is in power because humor undermines power,” she adds.
The ongoing prosecution of Zehra Ömeroğlu epitomizes a disturbing trend of censorship and intimidation. With repeated trial postponements since 2022, Ömeroğlu's ordeal highlights prolonged legal harassment and casts doubt on the prospect of a fair trial. It's absurd that a satirist faces prosecution for exercising their craft, revealing the extreme measures Turkish authorities resort to in silencing dissent. The Coalition For Women In Journalism and Women Press Freedom calls for the public prosecutor to drop its case against Ömeroğlu immediately and allow her to work free from state interference.
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 women 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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