Turkiye: WPF Welcomes European Court Ruling Ayşenur Parıldak's Detention Unlawful
Women Press Freedom celebrates the court’s decision, which vindicates the reporter who spent over three years behind bars
Location: Turkiye
Date: March 19, 2024
Women Press Freedom welcomes the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) ruling that Turkiye violated the freedom, security, and freedom of expression rights of journalist Ayşenur Parıldak — exonerating the journalist and acknowledging the unjust sentence she endured. Following her arrest in the aftermath of the 2016 coup attempt, Parıldak spent over five years behind bars. In response to this grave injustice, the Turkish state has been ordered to compensate Parıldak with a total of €22,000. this ruling, We view this decision as a significant indictment of the systemic disregard for due process within Turkish courts since the 2016 coup attempt. The ongoing legal harassment, unjust detentions, and imprisonment of journalists must come to an end.
Read latest reports from the globe
WPF strongly condemns the ongoing legal proceedings against Gözde Bedeloğlu, a journalist for BirGün, who is currently facing charges of "insulting a public official" in Istanbul, Turkiye, filed by a Nationalist Movement Party politician.
During the ongoing Israel/Palestine conflict, the fundamental principles of press freedom have come under dire threat.
WPF welcomes the judgment of the Fair Work Commission that found that broadcaster Antoinette Lattouf was fired by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) following a social media post by Lattouf sharing a Human Rights Watch claim about Israel's actions in Gaza.
On March 19, 2024, the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) ruled that Turkish authorities unlawfully detained journalist Ayşenur Parıldak.
Parıldak, who worked as a judicial correspondent for the Zaman newspaper, was arrested on August 11, 2016. She was convicted of being a member of a terrorist organization over alleged ties with the Fethullah Gülen network, which the Turkish government accuses of plotting the July 2016 coup attempt. After spending 5 years and 7 months behind bars, Parıldak was released from prison in March 2022 after serving her full sentence.
The ECtHR concluded that Parıldak was unlawfully detained due to a lack of reasonable grounds to suspect her of committing the alleged crime of membership in a terrorist organization. It stated that legal provisions were unreasonably interpreted and applied during her trial, violating her right to a fair trial. The court also ruled that Parıldak's arrest constituted a violation of her freedom of expression.
Turkiye has been ordered to pay €22,000 in compensation, including 16,000 Euros in moral damages and €6,000 in legal costs.
In the aftermath of the 2016 coup attempt, the Turkish government purportedly aimed to hold those responsible accountable. This led to a widespread crackdown on dissenting voices. Hundreds of journalists across various media platforms were arrested, detained, and prosecuted, often under anti-terror laws. Many released pending trials faced additional restrictions, such as passport confiscation and internal travel limitations, with their media outlets shuttered by executive order, leaving them without jobs. Over 160 journalists were held in pre-trial detention, and 170 media organizations were immediately closed under state of emergency decrees, with only a fraction reopening later.
Veteran journalist Nazlı Ilıcak spent 1,197 days behind bars following her arrest in the aftermath of the failed coup. Her release came only after her conviction was overturned in July 2019. Following a similar legal path as Ayşenur Parıldak, in December 2021, the ECtHR further affirmed the injustice surrounding Ilıcak's case, ruling that her arrest lacked sufficient justification and encroached upon her freedom of expression, constituting a violation of her fundamental rights. Despite being awarded €16,000 in compensation for the inflicted harm, the ordeal for Ilıcak did not conclude there. On February 14, 2024, she found herself retried on the same terrorism charges she faced in 2016. The Istanbul 26th High Criminal Court convicted the journalist and sentenced her to five years and three months in prison.
The ruling by the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) on journalist Ayşenur Parıldak's case is a damning indictment of Turkye's disregard for press freedom. The Strasbourg court has declared her detention unlawful and a violation of her fundamental human rights. Parıldak's arrest lacked any reasonable basis, and her trial was marred by unjust interpretations of the law, denying her a fair hearing. The ECHR's demand for compensation serves as a stark rebuke to Turkiye's oppressive tactics, which frequently target the press through unjust detentions, legal harassment, and imprisonment. Women Press Freedom hopes that this ruling serves as a catalyst for systemic change in Turkiye, fostering an environment where journalists can work without fear of persecution and where the principles of justice and democracy are upheld without compromise.
WPF strongly condemns the ongoing legal proceedings against Gözde Bedeloğlu, a journalist for BirGün, who is currently facing charges of "insulting a public official" in Istanbul, Turkiye, filed by a Nationalist Movement Party politician.
Women Press Freedom stands resolutely in solidarity with Arzu Yıldız, an investigative journalist from Turkiye forced into exile after facing persistent threats and persecution for her work. Yıldız's experience is emblematic of the broader crackdown on press freedom under President Tayyip Erdoğan's regime, where dissent is aggressively stifled. We unequivocally condemn the targeting and persecution of journalists by President Tayyip Erdoğan's government.
WPF welcomes the long-overdue release of journalist Derya Ren, who was wrongfully imprisoned on baseless terrorism charges.
WPF condemns the detention of journalist and media personality Gönül Yılman Saygan at İzmir Airport.
WPF condemns this attack and calls for an immediate and thorough investigation by Iraqi and Turkish authorities to find out why the Çira TV vehicle was targeted.
WPF is appalled by the decision of the Ankara court to convict eight journalists, including four women journalists, from the Kurdish news outlet Mezopotamya Agency.
WPF firmly condemns the baseless charges against Esra Solin Dal and her two journalist colleagues, who are being accused of "membership in a terrorist organization" due to their alleged ties to the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK).
Five journalists affiliated with Özgürlükçü Demokrasi (Liberal Democracy) have been sentenced to prison, with former editors Hicran Ürün and Reyhan Hacıoğlu receiving three years and 45 days respectively, WPF worryingly documents.
WPF organization vehemently condemns the recent ruling by the Anadolu 9th Civil Court of First Instance, which ordered journalists Yasemin Çongar, Mehmet Baransu, Ahmet Altan, and Yıldıray Oğur to pay damages to retired General Çetin Doğan.
WPF strongly condemns the unjust charges against Derya Us and Nurcan Yalçın who were arrested by police for allegedly belonging to a terrorist organization.
Yet again, authorities have thrown Elif Akkuş behind bars, this time awaiting trial under accusations of evidence tampering, allegedly tied to her expenditure during coverage of conflicts in Libya and Syria while working for state-run broadcaster TRT.
WPF expresses deep concern over the actions of Turkish authorities during the May Day march in Istanbul's Saraçhane district.
WPF vehemently condemns the repeated and unfounded accusations against journalist Zeynep Kuray by Turkish authorities.
WPF strongly condemns the police raid following Kurdish Journalists' Day targeting journalists from Kurdish news outlets across Turkiye.
WPF condemns the prosecutor's decision to pursue charges against journalist Asena Tunca for allegedly "opposing the law on meetings and demonstrations" following her violent detention by law enforcement while covering a protest against the government's handling of the February 2024 earthquakes.
WPF expresses profound dismay at the relentless pursuit of journalist Ayşe Kara by the Diyarbakır prosecutor, who has gone to unjustifiable lengths to harass her.
WPF condemns the threats and violence Medine Mamedoğlu endured as a direct consequence of her exposing police brutality during protests in Van.
WPF views the lawsuit by Deputy Ali İhsan Arslan of the ruling AKP party against İleri Haber journalists İzel Sezer and Doğan Ergün as an attempt to stifle critical journalism, and we call for the case to be dismissed.
Rojin Akın has been finally vindicated of “membership of a terrorist organization” charges.
WPF firmly condemns the recent assaults, intimidation, and detentions of journalists in Turkiye, as they covered the protests against the electoral authorities' decision to block a pro-Kurdish mayor-elect in Van despite his election victory.
WPF persistently monitored the electoral process during the local elections and noted multiple instances of infringements. We condemn acts of violence and restrictions, including against Ece Üner, who was threatened with death.
Women Press Freedom is deeply troubled by Elif Akgül facing a potential 13.5 years behind bars over two tweets in 2018 and 2022, respectively.
Women Press Freedom welcomes the decision by the Istanbul prosecutor to drop the investigation against Artı TV journalist Şükran Ekinci.
WPF denounces the court’s decision to convict Pınar Gayıp and Mehmet Acettin, journalists with the Etkin News Agency (ETHA), of “denigrating Turkishness” for their coverage of a lawyer accused of sexual harassment.
Ayça Söylemez faces prosecution and three years imprisonment for an article on a former judge and current deputy justice minister.
WPF welcomes the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) ruling Turkiye violated the freedom, security, and freedom of expression rights of journalist Ayşenur Parıldak — exonerating the journalist and acknowledging the unjust sentence she endured.
WPF supports Yaşar's decision to file a complaint against police officers who subjected the journalist to physical assault, racist insults, and threats when they violently detained her.
WPF is appalled by the police violence and unjust detention of journalists covering the Kurdish New Year Celebrations (Nowruz) in Istanbul.
WPF welcomes the guilty verdict against the police officers for their violence against reporter Beyza Kural in Istanbul during her coverage of the YÖK protest in 2015.
The exoneration of documentary filmmaker Sibel Tekin from charges implicating her with a terrorist organization signifies the conclusion of a protracted legal ordeal that began with her detention in December 2022.
Women Press Freedom is an initiative by The Coalition For Women In Journalism
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.