Bosnia and Herzegovina: Threats Against BIRN’s Journalist Nermina Kuloglija
Location: Bosnia and Herzegovina, SarajevoDate: August 31, 2022
Journalist Nermina Kuloglija has received threatening messages allegedly by a Turkish far-right nationalist organization for reporting on its activities in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Nermina received several threats from Bosnia and Turkey with intimidating content via phone calls, text messages and social media. The Coalition For Women In Journalism (CFWIJ) condemns the threats and intimidation over the journalist investigation report at Balkan Investigative Reporting Regional Network (BIRN).
CFWIJ expresses serious concerns about the safety of investigative women journalists in the Balkan region and calls on both Turkish and Bosnian authorities to end impunity and investigate the repeated threats and harassment.
The threats sparkled after BIRN journalist Nermina and her colleague Hamdi Fırat Buyuk published an investigation article about the extreme far-right nationalist group known as “Grey Wolves” from Turkey which has set up a branch in Bosnia,
Far-right organization allegedly helped Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan targeting opponents from the so-called Gulenist movement, which are consider a terrorist organization from the ruling party since fail coup attempt in Turkey 2016. Some of Grey Wolves members support neo-fascist ideas and their organization is affiliated with the far-right Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) which is also an ally of the Turkish ruling party.
The investigation showed the Turkish nationalist organization created in Bosnia helped to target extradition opponents of the Gulenist movement, as well as political connections in Turkey and Bosnia. The article was also about the founder of Bosnian branch, his mission to create a Grey Wolves group in Bosnia, his authority and control over young leaders who now rule the organization, and the organization affiliation with Bosniak nationalist party.
Turkey has been under immerse criticism for inciting discrimination and hatred for investigative and critical reporters. The Turkish authorities have also been criticized for using the failed coup in 2016 as an excuse for the crackdown on the opposition and media. People with Kurdish, Armenian or Greek background or anyone considered an opponent is being persecuted and threatened.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism extends solidarity to BIRN journalist Nermina Kuloglija The threats are extremely alarming and CFWIJ calls for the safety of journalists working in the region needs to be ensured urgently. CFWIJ condemns these attacks and reiterates that journalists should be free to do their jobs.
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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