FREEDOM OF THE PRESS

Latest News

• Media organisations demand freedom for Sherwan Sherwani 

  More than 150 media workers in South Kurdistan, together with the Metro Center for Journalist Rights & Advocacy and other media organisations, are demanding the release of Sherwan Sherwani, who has been in prison since 2020.
• 104 writers, artists, intellectuals launch campaign demanding freedom for journalist Yanardağ 

  104 writers, artists, intellectuals launched a campaign demanding freedom for journalist Merdan Yanardağ, who was arrested after talking about the isolation imposed on Kurdish People's Leader Abdullah Öcalan.
• Journalist Beroski abducted after criticizing Barzani 

  Journalist Umêd Beroski, who criticized Mesrur Barzani, was kidnapped by the KDP after the trial against journalist Şêrwan Şêrwani.
• Journalist Sherwan Sherwani from Behdinan sentenced to 4 years in prison 

  KDP arrested over 80 journalists, teachers and activists from Behdinan in 2020. Some of them still remain behind bars for politically motivated reasons.
• Turkish authorities block access to Yeni Yaşam website for fifth time 

  Turkish authorities have blocked access to the website of the Kurdish newspaper Yeni Yaşam for the fifth time. The restriction is part of the censorship and persecution of Kurdish media and journalists in Turkey.
• ‘Arrest of Merdan Yanardağ is an attempt to cover up the crime of isolation’ 

  Journalist and TV editor Merdan Yanardağ who is facing up to ten and a half years in prison for his comments on Abdullah Öcalan's detention situation.
• TGS: Without good journalism, there can be no democracy 

  A study by the Journalists Union of Turkey (TGS) highlights the growing challenges faced by journalists in Turkey, resulting in a declining reputation for the profession and leading many journalists to consider leaving the field.
• Court accepts indictment against Merdan Yanardağ 

  A Turkish journalist is to stand trial for "terror propaganda" and "praising crimes and criminals" because of his remarks about Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan and the solitary confinement he is subjected to on Imrali prison island.
• Court rules to release 15 Kurdish journalists after the first hearing 

  The first hearing of the case in which 18 journalists - 15 of whom are imprisoned - are standing trial, resumed today at Diyarbakır 4th Heavy Penal Court.
• Second day of hearing of 18 journalists opens in Amed 

  The trial against 18 journalists in Amed continues on the second day.
• Trial against 18 journalists continues today 

  The first hearing of the trial against 18 journalists continues today in Amed.
• ‘There can be no democracy unless the Kurdish press is free’ 

  Representatives of journalist unions, organizations and political parties expressed their solidarity with the 15 Kurdish journalists standing trial in Diyarbakır today after 13 months in pre-trial detention.
• Veysel Ok: Journalists' work on the Kurdish issue is on trial today 

  MLSA co-director Veysel Ok said that the journalists' work on the Kurdish issue was criminalized.
• First hearing of 18 journalists opens in Amed 

  The first hearing of 18 journalists, 15 of whom are imprisoned, has just starte in Amed.
• Hearing of 15 journalists takes place today in Amed 

  The lawsuit brought against 15 journalists in Amed undermines the basic principle of freedom of the press, said the Swiss Kurdistan Journalists Association, demanding the Turkish authorities to respect the rights of journalists and release them.
• Female journalist jailed for interviewing Mahsa Amini’s father 

  23-year-old Nazila Maroofian from Saqqez, Kurdistan province, is an investigative reporter covering issues in her hometown.
• Lawyer of 15 journalists in prison calls on everyone to attend first hearing next Tuesday 

  Resul Temur, the lawyer of the 15 journalists who have been imprisoned for 13 months due to their professional activities, called out on everyone "whose voice is silenced, to stand with the Kurdish press on 11 July."
• CFWIJ: Kurdish women journalists are targeted most by the Turkish government 

  In its First Quarterly Report for 2023, CFWIJ reported an increase in physical assault and legal harassment against women journalists.
• Application to Constitutional Court for imprisoned journalist Müftüoğlu 

  Lawyer applied to the Constitutional Court for imprisoned journalist Dicle Müftüoğlu
• Hearing of journalists in Ankara adjourned until October 26 

  The secret witness said that he did not have concrete information to provide for many of the questions addressed to him. He confessed to having engaged in the activities of the MA on behalf of the state.
• Three journalists in Iran charged with "making propaganda against national security" 

  Journalists Saeeda Shafiei, Mehrnoush Zarei Hanzaki and Nasim Sultan Beygi were charged with "making propaganda against national security" in the 26th Branch of the Tehran Revolutionary Court.
• Aygül: Journalists in Turkey and Kurdistan risk their lives 

  Sinan Aygül said that journalists in Turkey and Kurdistan risk their lives. "It is impossible to speak of freedom of the press here. Unfortunately, being a journalist means risking your life," he said.
• Journalist Bayram taken into custody in Amed 

  Journalist Kadir Bayram was taken into custody in a house raid by Turkish police in Amed.
• Journalist Ebrahimi Iraee sentenced to five years in prison in Tehran 

  Journalist and human rights activist Golrokh Ebrahimi Iraee has been sentenced to five years in prison in Tehran. She was arrested shortly after the "Jin, Jiyan, Azadî" revolution began last September and has been in Evin prison ever since.
• Eren: Intimidating journalists will not work! 

  Confederation of Progressive Trade Unions (DİSK) Press Section Chair Faruk Eren pointed out that the government wanted to intimidate all journalists with the arrest of Merdan Yanardağ.