The Free Press Union (Yekîtiya Ragihandina Azad-YRA) and the Women's Press Union (Yekîtiya Ragihandina Jin-YRJ) made a joint statement about the killing of free media workers Nazım Daştan and Cihan Bilgin by the Turkish state.

The statement was read in Kurdish by Alan Maiş and in Arabic by Arîn Denîz, and said: "The occupying Turkish state and its affiliated militia groups have increased their attacks on Northern and Eastern Syria since 8 December 2024. While the world discusses establishing a system in Syria where all components are represented, the free media has been working tirelessly to convey this truth to the public.

Our journalist comrades are fulfilling their ethical and historical duties by working on the frontlines of every conflict, reporting the Turkish state's occupation attacks to the public and the international community."

The statement added: "Through these attacks, Turkey targets all the values of our people, prioritizing assaults on the media that reveal the truth. According to all international conventions, journalists have the right to report on war and conflict and should not be targeted. However, the Turkish state is waging a brutal war against the free media.

As an effective front of the struggle, the free media has paid a heavy price in its journey for truth and uncovering realities.

Most recently, two of our journalist comrades fell martyrs in a heinous attack by the Turkish state. Journalist Nazım Daştan and Hawar News Agency (ANHA) correspondent Cihan Bilgin were martyred in this cowardly assault.

Both of our comrades had been covering the attacks and resistance at the Tishreen Dam and the Qereqozax Bridge since day one."

The statement continued: "On 19 December 2024, at 3:20 pm, while performing their journalistic duties on the road between the Tishreen Dam and Sirîn town, the two journalists' vehicle was bombed by a Turkish armed drone. As a result of the attack, both comrades were killed, and their driver, Ezîz Hec Bozan, was injured."

Cihan Bilgin: a journalist on the frontlines

The statement gave information about the two journalists: "Our comrade Cihan Bilgin had been working as a journalist in Rojava Kurdistan since 2017. Born into a patriotic family that endured many sacrifices, Cihan became a courageous journalist, representing on the frontlines of the Rojava resistance and revolution. Through her pen and camera, she became the voice of peoples and women’s revolutions.

Cihan Bilgin worked as a journalist at ANHA for eight years, spending those years immersed in the struggle during the Rojava Revolution. During Turkey’s intensified attacks on Rojava, she was always on the frontlines, reporting the truth to the public. Her work reflected that the Rojava Revolution was a women’s revolution, connecting freedom and women’s liberation in her reports, features, and interviews.

As a devoted member of the Free Press, Cihan followed in the footsteps of Gurbetelli Ersöz, Gulistan Tara, Seyit Evran, and Dilîşan Îbîş, bringing the Rojava Revolution to the public with her passion and dedication. Beyond her journalistic skill, Cihan was a model of camaraderie and kindness."

Nazim Daştan: A camera and pen at every front

The statement said about journalist Nazım Daştan that he "was born in Giyadîn (Diyadin), Agirî, in Bakurê (North) Kurdistan, into a patriotic family. With this national consciousness, Nazım pursued freedom and struggle as a journalist. In 2014, during the ISIS attacks on Rojava, he arrived in the region, covering the historic resistance in Afrin and Kobanê and broadcasting it to the world.

During the Autonomous Administration resistance in Bakurê Kurdistan, Nazım continued his journalistic work in Şirnak’s Silopi district, despite facing investigations by the Turkish state. Undeterred by oppression, he returned to Rojava Kurdistan in 2016, fulfilling his journalistic duties in Afrin, Kobani, Raqqa, Girê Spî, Shengal, and Southern Kurdistan for years.

Nazım was humble, hardworking, and courageous. He worked for numerous free media institutions and organizations, using his pen and camera to reveal the truth, following in the path of Halil Dağ."

Raise your voice against this atrocity

The statement strongly condemned this "barbaric attack on our two journalist comrades. As seekers of truth, we remain resolute in following their path, ensuring their pens and cameras are not left behind.

We call on all journalists to stand on the side of truth and to follow in the footsteps of Free Media martyrs like Nazım Daştan and Cihan Bilgin. We also call on all journalistic institutions and organizations, as well as international human rights bodies, to raise their voices against this atrocity.

We renew our promise and determination to honor the struggle of Nazım Daştan, Cihan Bilgin, and all fallen press martyrs by elevating their fight."

The identity information of the two journalists is as follows:

Name and Surname: Cîhan Bilgin
Father's Name: Muhammed Nesin
Mother's Name: Katibe
Date and Place of Birth: 1996-Midyad

Name and Surname: Nazım Daştan
Father's Name: Mihemet Alî
Mother's Name: Zozan
Date and Place of Birth: Agirî/Giyadîn-1992