Turkey: No Justice To Journalists Semiha Şahin And Pinar Gayip Again
Location: Turkey, Istanbul
Date: November 9, 2021Available in: 🇹🇷 Türkçe
The trial in which Etkin News Agency (ETHA) editor Semiha Şahin and reporter Pınar Gayip have tried charges of "being affiliated with a terrorist organization" and "spreading propaganda" was postponed for the 15th time. The court adjourned the next hearing to March 10, 2022 ruling again the missing elements should be eliminated. The Coalition for Women in Journalism (CFWIJ) demands justice for the journalists facing baseless charges. The cases that are far from fair trials should be ended immediately. Journalism is not a crime.
Journalists Semiha Şahin and Pınar Gayıp are being prosecuted on the charges of "being a member of an armed terrorist organization" and "making a chain of propaganda for a terrorist organization". The 15th hearing of the case was held today at İstanbul’s 23rd High Criminal Court. The court ruled yet again the same decision as to the previous one and ruled the incomplete elements of the case file be completed. The next hearing adjourned until March 10, 2022.
The accusations were against the journalists formed as a result of social media activity and the fact that they participated in a protest to cover it. Semiha and Pınar are facing up to 23 years in prison.
The journalists were initially arrested on April 19, 2018. They were released but remained under house arrest which was then lifted on December 11, 2019. The house arrest measure against Semiha and Pınar was lifted on December 11, 2019. However, the travel ban imposed on them continues.
The journalist Pınar Gayıp spoke about the trial previously to the CFWIJ. She said that she and her colleague went through an unlawful process from house raids to their arrest. "We are journalists, we appear in court almost every day, if they were invited to testify, we would go and give them, but they intend to terrorize journalism with house raids," said Pınar to CFWIJ. Emphasizing that the proceedings against them have been going on for a long time, although they should not be arrested or even detained, Pınar added. “It has been 14 hearings since the process started. Now our hearings begin and end at the same time,” she said.
“We will not stop defending the rights of the people, reporting the truth, and being on the side of the opposition. Whatever it costs. We will not be The Palace’s (Erdoğan’s) journalists, we will not give allegiance!”
The CFWIJ condemns the judiciary mechanism that has been adjourning the cases for various excuses. These practices were carried out to intimidate the journalists. We demand the Turkish authorities to immediately acquit journalists Pınar Gayip and Semiha Şahin. Journalism is not a crime.
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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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