Turkey: CFWIJ Condemns Three Reporters’ Detention While They Were Covering Women's Protest
Location: Turkey, Ankara
Date: January 5, 2021Available in: 🇹🇷 Türkçe
Jinnews reporters Habibe Eren, Öznur Değer and journalist Eylül Deniz Yaşar were detained while following the women demonstration in Ankara. Three journalists were released after their testimony was taken. The Coalition For Women In Journalism (CFWIJ) condemns the violence and police intervention against journalists. Reporters are obliged to cover the developments in the country. Journalists cannot be detained solely for following the news.
Jinnews reporters Habibe Eren, Öznur Değer and journalist Eylül Deniz Yaşar were detained along with 18 women who participated in the protest organized by the Ankara Women's Platform. The protesters gathered regarding the 22-year-old university student Gülistan Doku's disappearance for a year. The journalists were released after their health control and testimony were taken. All the protesters detained were prosecuted for the violation of the law on demonstration and march.
Last year, Anayurt Newspaper reporter Demet Aran was subjected to police violence while reporting and filming the press statement for the Health and Safety Labour Watch. On October 14, 2020, Demet Aran was attacked by security forces. Demet was prevented by the police while filming the press release. The police attempted to detain the journalist and her phone was confiscated. Demet delivered her mobile from the security branch and underlined that she plans to file a criminal complaint against the police who intervened.
Also, Dokuz8HABER reporter Fatoş Erdoğan was attacked by the police while covering the demonstration of the youth organizations " on October 25, 2020, in İstanbul. The journalist, who was filming the protest, was beaten by the police and tried to be taken into custody. The detention attempt was prevented by the People's Democratic Party (HDP) Deputy Musa Piroğlu.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism condemns the violence perpetrated by security forces against journalists. Instead of intervening with the journalists by detaining them, we demand the authorities provide a free environment to journalists and ensure their safety.
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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.
Follow us on Instagram @womeninjournalism and Twitter @CFWIJ. Our website is WomenInJournalism.org and we can be reached at press@womeninjournalism.org
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.
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