Turkey: Another Day When Turkish Government Uses All Its Authorities to Imprison Journalists — Struggle Of Women Journalists For Freedom
Location: Turkey
Date: January 18, 2023Available in: 🇹🇷 Türkçe
The Turkish government continues to threaten, intimidate and punish journalists through legislation to imprison them. A lawsuit was filed against journalist Öznur Değer, one of the six female journalists arrested on October 29, 2022. An investigation was launched for the third time against ETHA reporter Pınar Gayıp due to her interviews about the case of Musa Orhan. Dicle Fırat Journalists Association (DFG) Co-chairman, Dicle Müftüoğlu was sentenced to six months in prison. CFWIJ demands the immediate release and acquittal of journalists.
Legal cases against imprisoned journalists
The Turkish government has started to file lawsuits against journalists behind bars because of their previous journalistic activities. A new investigation has been recently launched against Jinnews reporter Öznur Değer, who has been imprisoned in Sincan Women's Closed Prison since October 29, 2022.
An indictment was prepared against Öznur and 24 others for covering a protest of students who “can't shelter" on November 28, 2021, alleging "resisting not to do their duty" and "not dispersing spontaneously despite a warning by participating in illegal meetings and marches unarmed". The indictment was accepted by the Ankara 18th Court of First Instance on January 5, 2023.
In the indictment, it was alleged that Öznur "acted incompatible with the profession of the press" because she insisted many times that she was a journalist despite the police's efforts to prevent her. Due to the fact that she did not have the press card issued by the Presidency of Communications, her press card given by Jinnews was not recognized as valid.
The first hearing of the lawsuit filed against Öznur, who was also subjected to physical violence by the police during her arrest, will be held on May 8, 2023. CFWIJ condemns the attempt to keep Öznur behind bars for a longer time, only for following a protest because of her job, and demands her immediate acquittal.
The case against Öznur is not the only one. Journalist Ceylan Şahinli, who has been in prison for over two months, also faced legal harassment. A lawsuit was filed against Mezopotamya Agency (MA) reporter Ceylan Şahinli, who was arrested on October 29, 2022 as part of an investigation conducted by the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office. The investigation, which has turned into a lawsuit, was opened five years ago but Şahinli was not notified until the day of her arrest.
Essential journalistic activities are considered a “criminal element”
A third investigation has been launched against ETHA reporter Pınar Gayıp for her interviews about the case of Musa Orhan, who tortured İpek Er for 15 days. Er later committed suicide. Despite the fact that Musa Orhan was dismissed from the Gendarmerie General Command after the incident, an investigation was launched against Pınar on charges of "insulting, slandering, disturbing the peace and tranquility of people, targeting those who fight terrorism".
In the investigation initiated by the Aydın Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, Pınar Gayıp went to testify with her lawyer. In her statement, she stated that there was no element of insult in her social media posts and news, she only wrote the facts.
Pınar is just one of the journalists who have been subjected to legal harassment for many years only because of their professional activities, and dozens of lawsuits have been filed against her. Apart from legal harassment, she is also dealing with online threats due to her work. On June 30, 2022, Pınar was threatened with bodily harm over her coverage of a sexual assault case by the alleged perpetrator’s lawyer. CFWIJ demands an immediate acquittal and the safety of all journalists.
Journalists are punished even though it is proven in court that they did not commit a crime
The case against journalist Aziz Oruç and DFG co-chair Dicle Müftüoğlu, who was tried together with six other people, was decided. While Aziz Oruç was acquitted, Müftüoğlu was sentenced to six months in prison for "favoring the criminal". The court decided to defer the announcement of the verdict.
Dicle Müftüoğlu is one of the journalists who have been subjected to continuous legal harassment for a long time. She was released on June 7, 2022 with a judicial control measure, after being detained for four days. CFWIJ calls on the Turkish government to create an environment where both Dicle and other journalists can practice their profession without fear of harm and restraint.
Women journalists are watched by cameras in prison
Violations of rights against women journalists, who have been imprisoned since October 29, 2022, continue to increase. According to reports by Mezopotamya Agency (MA), Editor-in-Chief Diren Yurtsever stated that the cameras installed in the courtyard had a clear view of the rooms. She added that their applications within the scope of visitors' rights were also rejected without any valid reason and that the guards strictly prohibited any kind of communication between inmates in the courtyard.
Journalist Ceylan Şahinli also told about the violations of rights in prison in a letter she sent to MA. In the letter, she touched upon the rights violations in Sincan Women's Closed Prison, where she has been detained for more than two months. She reported that her rights have been restricted while in detention, including being denied the ability to participate in social activities with other detainees and experiencing heat cut-offs in the prison after 4 pm.
Turkey places at the top in violations of rights against women journalists
In 2022, CFWIJ noted with concern the dangerous digital-physical terrain that women journalists in Turkey have had to navigate in order to continue doing their jobs. In 2022, we monitored and documented more than 150 cases of violations against women journalists. The state has routinely weaponized its institutions to target them. At least 50 women have faced legal persecution while 47 have been assaulted in the field by either the police force or pro-government supporters. Women journalists have also been targeted through organized online troll campaigns as well as through state media for criticizing government policies.
Recently, new investigations have been opened against arrested journalists, making it difficult for them to get out of prison. The Turkish government is trying to punish journalists for their professional activities years ago by creating new criminal elements. CFWIJ demands the immediate acquittal of all journalists subjected to legal harassment. All these violations of rights seriously harm both press freedom and democracy. Journalism is not a crime.
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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