FREEDOM OF THE PRESS

Latest News

• 24 journalists stood trial in one month, 8 women journalists in prison 

  The Mesopotamia Women Journalists' Association stated that urgent measures are needed to ensure the safety of journalists and protect freedom of expression.
• Media workers: Serdar Karakoç should be released immediately 

  122 journalists, writers and media workers demanded the immediate release of journalist Serdar Karakoç, who was arrested by the Netherlands upon the request of Germany. The journalists also called on the Dutch press to take action for Karakoç's freedom.
• 42 journalists in prison in the month of May, says DFG 

  The DFG said that there were 42 journalists in prison in the month of May.
• Journalist Gayip was sentenced to 1 year, 2 months and 17 days in prison  

  Journalist Pınar Gayip was sentenced to 1 year, 2 months and 17 days in prison.
• Journalist Karakoç taken into custody by Dutch police 

  Journalist Serdar Karakoç, who has been in exile in the Netherlands for 23 years, was taken into custody by the Dutch police upon the request of the German state. Karakoç will be brought before a court today.
• Journalist Ehmed's mother: Release my son 

  Journalist Silêman Ehmed's mother called for pressure on the KDP government to achieve her son’s release.
• Lawyers finally meet with journalist Silêman Ehmed after 211 days without news 

  Lawyer Beşdar Hasan was able to meet with journalist Silêman Ehmed, who was kidnapped by KDP forces, after 211 days. He said that the journalist's condition was good, and that Ehmed wanted the public pressure to continue.
• Journalist Solin Dal: We will continue to expose isolation 

  Journalist Esra Solin Dal, who was released from Bakırköy Women's Closed Prison on Tuesday, said that they will continue to expose isolation in the country.
• Court rules for the release of three journalists jailed in April 

  Court ruled for the release of MA reporters Esra Solin Dal and Mehmet Aslan and journalist Erdoğan Alayumat who were imprisoned in late April.
• 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.