Mass detention of journalists last week:(

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Last week, Turkey witnessed a significant crackdown on journalists, with multiple arrests and detentions across the country. Here’s a summary of the key events:

Mass Detention Operation (November 26-27, 2024)

Turkish authorities conducted a large-scale operation targeting individuals suspected of having ties to the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) or alleged offshoot organizations[3]. This operation resulted in:

  • Simultaneous raids in 30 cities
  • Detention of 261 people in total
  • At least 12 journalists among those detained

The detained journalists included:

  • Erdoğan Alayumat
  • Suzan Demir
  • Tuğçe Yılmaz
  • Emrah Kelekçier
  • Ahmet Sümbül
  • Roza Metina
  • Bilal Seçkin
  • Bilge Aksu
  • Mehmet Uçar
  • Doğan Güzel
  • Abdurrahman Aydın
  • Havin Derya

Developments Following the Mass Detention

  • As of November 29, 2024, nine of the detained journalists were released on orders from the judge[4][6].
  • Five journalists had their detention extended, accused of membership in a terrorist organization[6].

Arrest of Furkan Karabay (November 8-9, 2024)

While not strictly within the last week, it’s important to note the recent arrest of Furkan Karabay:

  • Detained on November 8 during a police raid in Istanbul
  • Jailed on November 9 pending trial
  • Allegations related to his social media posts on X, where he named prosecutors investigating an opposition mayor[1][5]

Reactions and Calls for Release

  • The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and six other press freedom organizations called for Karabay’s immediate release[5].
  • Turkish trade unions demanded the release of arrested unionists and journalists[8].
  • International media organizations condemned the arrests and called for the immediate release of jailed journalists[9].

These events highlight the ongoing pressure on press freedom in Turkey, with journalists often facing accusations of terrorism or insulting public officials for their reporting activities[1][2].

Citations:

  1. Turkish journalist Furkan Karabay arrested over reporting on opposition arrest – Committee to Protect Journalists
  2. In Turkey, silence a bigger fear than arrest, says journalist – Voice of America
  3. Police detain multiple journalists in house raids across Turkey – Committee to Protect Journalists
  4. Turkey: Nine detained journalists released – Medya News
  5. CPJ joins call for Turkey to release arrested journalist Furkan Karabay – Committee to Protect Journalists
  6. Daily News 29 November 2024 – Medya News
  7. Türkiye: Detained journalists must be released immediately – International Federation of Journalists
  8. Turkish trade unions demand release of arrested unionists and journalists – People’s Dispatch
  9. Media Organisations Demand Immediate Release of Jailed Turkish Journalist – Balkan Insight

Statement from MLSA and 18 other organizations on recent detentions:

Detained journalists must be released immediately!

The Media and Law Studies Association (MLSA) and the undersigned press freedom and human rights organizations are deeply concerned about the detention of seven journalists in Turkey on November 26, 2024. We urgently call for their immediate release.

Jinnews Kurdish Editor and President of the Mesopotamian Women Journalists Association Roza Metina and journalist Ahmet Sümbül were detained in Diyarbakır; journalists Erdoğan Alayumat , Bilge Aksu, Tuğçe Yılmaz and Suzan Demir in Istanbul; Mehmet Uçarin Batman; and Bilal Seçkin in Ankara during early morning raids. This operation also targeted numerous other individuals, including poet and longtime columnist Yeni Yaşam Newspaper Columnist Hicri İzgören, publisher  Aver Yoldaş, cartoonist Doğan Güzel, translator Ömer Barasi, and filmmaker Ardin Diren, as well as several politicians and human rights defenders.

Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya announced the arrests on social media, labeling the detainees as “suspected terrorist organization members” a statement widely criticized as prejudging guilt.

The detained journalists have been denied access to their lawyers, while the lawyers themselves have been prevented from obtaining information about the investigation due to a so-called “confidentiality order.”

The detentions and lack of transparency concerning the operation underscores the escalating threats to press freedom and the ability of journalists to carry out their work freely.

Turkey must fulfill its obligations under the Press Law, its Constitution, and the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). The systematic harassment and intimidation of journalists must stop immediately.

We call on the authorities to end the oppression of journalists and unjust detentions, ensure their safety, and uphold freedom of expression. Additionally, we demand the protection of journalistic activities under Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights. Journalism is a cornerstone of any democratic society and must be safeguarded against political interference.

Signatories:

Media and Law Studies Association (MLSA)

Journalists’ Union of Turkey (TGS)

Association of Journalists (GC)

ARTICLE 19

DİSK Basın-İş Press Labor Union

Dicle Fırat Journalists Association (DFG)

Haber-Sen News Workers’ Union

İzmir Journalists Association

Freedom House

Diyarbakır Local Media Association

Mesopotamia Women Journalists Association

European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF)

Southeastern Journalists Association (GCC)

Women Journalists Association

International Press Institute (IPI)

Progressive Journalists Association (ÇGD)

European Federation of Journalists (EFJ)

International Federation of Journalists (IFJ)

Journalists’ and Meida Workers’ Union (Russia)

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