Turkey: CFWIJ Demands An Immediate Release Of Journalist Ceylan Şahinli
Location: Turkey, Ankara
Date: May 1, 2021Available in: 🇹🇷 Türkçe
Mesopotamia Agency (MA) reporter Ceylan Şahinli was detained while following the May 1 Labour Day event in Ankara. The Coalition For Women In Journalism (CFWIJ) condemns the escalating police violence against journalists. We demand Ceylan’s release immediately. Journalism is not a crime.
MA reporter Ceylan Şahinli, who followed the events on May 1 Labour Day in Ankara, was detained. Reportedly the journalist was subjected to police violence while filming the police intervention against the gathering for May 1.
The crowds in Turkey were subjected to severe police violence on Labour Day, citing the restrictions regarding the full lockdown between 29 April and 17 May due to the pandemic. In the meantime, the press is also forbidden to record audio or film the police officers in charge of the protests. Today, the police prevented many journalists from doing their work and battered them.
The increasing tension in the country for the past week has also been reflected in the journalists. Over the last ten days, five female journalists who followed the protests about the ban for Labour Day were detained. The journalists were released after their testimonies were taken and also, were prevented by the security forces from carrying out their profession.
On April 19, Kardelen Yoğungan and Mücadele Birliği reporter Serpil Ünal were detained while covering another event of workers. Sinbo workers, who were dismissed because of their union membership in Istanbul, wanted to protest their situation however, police intervened in the event and detained five people including journalists.
Another event took place in İstanbul on April 21. Police attacked the gathering at Istanbul, Bakırköy Freedom Square to make a statement for May 1 Labour Day. BirGün’s Meral Danyıldız, Kızıl Bayrak reporter Kardelen Yoğungan and journalist Zeynep Kuray were prevented by the police and verbally harassed. Law enforcement, who dispersed the crowd, battered women journalists.
On April 28, Kızıl Bayrak reporter Kardelen Yoğungan was again detained along with Jin News’ Sena Dolar, while covering the press release about Sinbo and SML Label workers to ban the May 1 events.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism closely monitors the increasing tension and police violence against journalists with great concern in Turkey. It is the public right of a journalist to report and to follow the developments in the country and cannot be prevented. We demand the Turkish authorities to release journalist Ceylan Şahinli immediately. Once again we reiterate: Journalism is not a crime.
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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