Turkey: Journalists Sibel Yükler And Yıldız Tar Detained While Campaigning For Release Of 16 Arrested Journalists
Location: Turkey, Ankara
Date: July 7, 2022Available in: 🇹🇷 Türkçe
Journalists Sibel Yükler, Yıldız Tar, and other journalists were detained in Ankara while campaigning for the release of 16 Kurdish journalists, four of them women, arrested from Diyarbakır on June 16, 2022. The journalists were released after their statements were taken. The Coalition For Women In Journalism (CFWIJ) condemns the police overreach against journalists. We extend solidarity to the journalists and demand that Turkish authorities allow them to report freely.
Journalist Sibel Yukler, Kaos GL editor Yıldız Tar and Mesopotamia Agency (MA) editor chief Deniz Nazlım were briefly detained and handcuffed. Police also physically assaulted the journalists while taking them to detention. The journalists were taken to the Ankara Security Branch and were released after their medical report was completed.
Journalist Sibel Yukler took to her Twitter account after her release. “Police without even letting us enter into the area, directly and physically assaulted us. We did not leave each other. Just as we did not leave our 16 colleagues. We will defend them as well as our professional dignity,” she quoted.
gazeteciler bir bütün, tutuklanan 16 meslektaşımız için ulus meydanındaydı. alana geçmemize izin bile vermeden direkt tartaklamaya ve akabinde dövmeye başladılar. birbirimizi bırakmadık. tıpkı 16 meslektaşımızı bırakmadığımız gibi. onları da ve meslek onurumuzu da savunacağız. https://t.co/ZWgv49oyuI
— sibel yükler (@sibelyukler) July 5, 2022
After the simultaneous police raids in Diyarbakır on June 8, 20 journalists, including six women, were detained for eight days, and 16 journalists, including four women, were arrested and sent to prison on June 16. Two women journalists were released with judicial control. The accusations against journalists have yet to be finalized and their case files remain confidential.
Police violence against journalists in Turkey has reached an extremely alarming level. Security forces have started to attack journalists and risk their lives. The Coalition For Women In Journalism condemns the abuse of power that has been used by police officers. We call Turkish authorities for immediate action against responsible police officers. We remind the authorities again that the right to report journalists is violated and this is unacceptable. 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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