Turkiye: Investigation Into Zeynep Kuray for Social Media Posts Dropped
Photojournalist’s reporting on police intervention at Akbelen forest protests triggered probe
Location: Turkiye, Istanbul
Date: January 8, 2024Update: April 16, 2024
Following an investigation under the "censorship law" into journalist Zeynep Kuray's social media post concerning the Akbelen forest protests, authorities have decided not to pursue charges. Women Press Freedom welcomes the decision to drop this unjust probe, which was a clear intimidation tactic aimed at silencing a journalist known for her commitment to reporting on environmental and left-wing issues. Kuray's treatment by the authorities is not an isolated incident but part of a troubling pattern. In 2023 alone, we documented multiple instances where Kuray faced obstruction from law enforcement during her reporting. Her detainment and mistreatment by police while covering various protests and events underscore the increasing risks journalists face in Turkey, especially when their work challenges state narratives or interests.
On January 8, 2024, journalist Zeynep Kuray provided a statement to police regarding the latest accusations being leveled at her for her reporting. The allegations stemmed from her social media posts addressing police violence against environmental demonstrators at Akbelen Forest.
Over a month later, Kuray revealed she was summoned to testify again for "publicly disseminating misleading information to the public."
On April 26, 2024, the Milas Public Prosecutor's Office concluded that there was no basis for prosecution, asserting that the post fell within the realm of freedom of expression. In its decision, the prosecutor's office cited the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) and the Turkish Constitution, affirming that expressions deemed disturbing, unpleasant, or even worrying for the state or certain groups yet devoid of violence or incitement are protected under freedom of speech.
The backdrop to this controversy lies in the persistent conflict over the deforestation of Akbelen Forest in the Mugla Province, attributed to coal mining activities, a discord that has spanned four years. The situation reached a critical juncture in July 2023 when in defiance of court orders to halt the expansion of the coal mining company, illegal tree felling in the Akbelen forest continued, leading to widespread protests.
Villagers and activists resisting the deforestation efforts claimed to have encountered aggressive police intervention during their attempts to stop the destruction of the forest. Zeynep Kuray herself faced impediments from law enforcement and was fined for her involvement in documenting and reporting on events.
Kuray, a lauded photojournalist, has faced various instances of police intervention in recent years. In 2022, CFWIJ recorded four occurrences where law enforcement obstructed her reporting. In April 2023, Kuray, along with five other women journalists, was beaten and detained by the police for participating in a protest against the widespread detentions of journalists in Diyarbakir. In September 2023, Kuray was detained by police while covering a protest in Bergama, İzmir.
Women Press Freedom welcomes the prosecutor's decision to drop its investigation into Zeynep Kuray. The Turkish state has a well-worn tactic of initiating baseless, costly, and time-consuming legal probes into journalists. When journalists report truthfully, independently, and critically of the government, they are routinely targeted with nonsense charges. We demand the state stop harassing journalists and allow them to work without interference.
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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