FREEDOM OF THE PRESS

Latest News

• Release of Jinnews journalist Ren postponed for 3 months  

  The release of Jinnews journalist Derya Ren, who has been in prison for nearly two years, was expected at the beginning of May, but was postponed for 3 months on the grounds that she was "not ready to integrate into society".
• DFG: The KDP is committing a crime and should release Silêman Ehmed 

  DFG made a statement for journalist Silêman Ehmed, who was detained by KDP 200 days ago, and said, "Our concerns about his life are increasing. KDP is committing a crime."
• Still no news of journalist Silêman Ehmed in KDP custody for 200 days 

  Journalist Silêman Ehmed has been held in an unofficial detention centre in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq for 200 days. The KDP refuses to provide information about his condition and his lawyers are also unable to speak to him.
• Indictment against nine journalists sent to court 

  The indictment against 9 journalists, including Esra Solin Dal, Mehmet Aslan and Erdoğan Alayumat, who were imprisoned in an Istanbul based operation, was sent to Istanbul 25th High Criminal Court.
• Özgürlükçü Demokrasi newspaper employees sentenced to prison 

  The Turkish regime’s attacks against the Free Press continues unabated.
• Journalist Esra Solin Dal still in isolation in Bakırköy Women's Closed Prison 

  Journalist Esra Solin Dal has been kept in an isolation cell since 26 April.
• MKG: 10 women journalists were detained in Turkey in April 

  Mesopotamia Women Journalists Association announced its rights violations report for April. Accordingly, 10 women journalists were detained last month, and 24 journalists are still on trial.
• DFG and MKG: Journalism is not a crime, release the journalists 

  DFG and MKG reacted to the detention of 2 journalists during house raids in Amed and called on all professional organisations and colleagues to stand in solidarity to protect journalism.
• Journalists Yalçın and Us taken into custody  

  Journalists Nurcan Yalçın and Derya Us were taken into custody by police this morning.
• Jailed journalist Solin asked to sign document saying 'I am a member of an illegal organization'  

  IHD co-chair Eren Keskin said that journalist Esra Solin Dal was presented a paper to sign saying "I am a member of an illegal organization" in order to be moved to the ward.
• RSF: With authoritarianism gaining ground in Turkey, media pluralism is being called into question 

  With authoritarianism gaining ground in Turkey, media pluralism is being called into question. All possible means are used to undermine critics, stated the RSF.
• Co-mayors of Van react to the pressure on the press 

  Van Metropolitan Municipality co-mayors Abdullah Zeydan and Neslihan Şedal met with press representatives on the occasion of 3 May World Press Freedom and reacted against pressures.
• International organisations call for immediate release of arrested Kurdish journalists 

  International Media Freedom and Human Rights Organisations condemn the alarming surge in arrests of Kurdish journalists in Turkey.
• Bruxelles Dévie condemns raids of Kurdish TV stations in Denderleeuw  

  Bruxelles Dévie denounced the police raids which targeted the Kurdish TV stations based in Denderleeuw on 23 April, saying they were one of the attempts to suffocate the Kurdish movement in Europe.
• Belgian deputy asks minister of justice about raids targeting Kurdish media 

  Samuel Cogolati, Belgian deputy with the Ecolo-Groen group moved a question in the parliament, demanding explanation about the raids targeting Kurdish media.
• CPJ, MENA Rights Group file Urgent Action to UN on disappearance of Rojnews editor 

  CPJ and MRG filed an Urgent Action to the UN Committee on Enforced Disappearances, asking for the Iraqi Kurdish government to clarify the fate and whereabouts of Silêman Ehmed, the editor of Rojnews Arabic Service.
• Journalist Alayumat deported to Marmara Prison 

  Journalist Erdoğan Alayumat was deported to Marmara Prison.
• Journalist Esra Solin Dal held in solitary confinement in prison 

  Journalist Esra Solin Dal, who was arrested on suspicion of terrorism, has been held in solitary confinement since her transfer to prison on 27 April. It has now also been revealed that she has been searched naked both in custody and in prison.
• Lawyer of Rojnews editor Silêman Ehmed in KDP custody prevented from meeting with his client 

  The lawyer of Rojnews editor Silêman Ehmed, who has been unlawfully held hostage for 189 days, was once again denied a meeting with his client in Duhok Asayish Prison.
• Journalist Veyisoğlu released on condition of judicial control 

  Political journalist Ekim Veyisoğlu, who was detained while covering police violence, was released on the condition of judicial control.
• Imprisoned journalist Derya Ren's release postponed for 3 months 

  Journalist Derya Ren's release was postponed for 3 months due to 'disciplinary penalty'.
• Journalist Dal subjected to strip search 

  Journalist Esra Solin Dal was recently arrested in Istanbul on “terrorist charges,” and was subjected to a strip search during her transfer to prison.
• DFG: Kurdish journalists will continue to show the unseen 

  DFG reacted against the imprisonment of 3 journalists and said, "Kurdish journalists will continue to show unseen and announce the unheard. We call for a common struggle to defend journalism."
• Demo in front of the Palace of Justice in Brussels condemns the raid on Medya Haber TV and Stêrk TV 

  The raid on Medya Haber TV and Stêrk TV studios was denounced in front of the Palace of Justice in Brussels.
• EFJ condemns raid on Kurdish TVs in Belgium 

  The European Federation of Journalists strongly condemned the show of force that accompanied the search in the studios of Kurdish television channels Stêrk TV and Medya Haber in Belgium.