CFWIJ condemns police violence against journalist Eylem Nazlıer at peace rally

* Photo: Yüksel Uygun

Click to read the article in Turkish

The Coalition for Women in Journalism (CFWIJ) has released a statement about the police intervention against five women journalists who were following the demonstration to be held in İstanbul on the occasion of September 1 World Peace Day on Sunday (September 5).

"Condemning the constant police violence against journalists" in Turkey, the CFWIJ has expressed its "demand that the Turkish authorities end these violations and repression immediately."

As reported by the CFWIJ in its written statement, police officers intervened in the demonstration in İstanbul, Taksim after the governor's office banned the September 1 World Peace Day rally to be organized by the Labor Peace and Democracy Forces in Bakırköy.

During the protest, 57 people were detained. The police also prevented journalists from doing their job by surrounding them with their shields.

Journalist Eylem Nazlıer, a reporter for the Evrensel newspaper, was subjected to police violence for capturing the moments when the İstanbul Provincial Police Chief insulted a protesting woman.

Attempting to prevent the journalist from filming, the police first confiscated Eylem's phone, then asked her to show her press credentials. Despite showing three different press IDs, the police were not convinced and forcibly demanded that the journalist show her identity card as well.

The CFWIJ has further recounted the incident as follows:

'Abandon the policy of intimidating journalists'

"Speaking to CFWIJ, the journalist stated that she was constantly harassed by asking for her press card. The police also intervened with Buse Söğütlü, reporter of Yolculuk Newspaper, while filming the moment of the incident. The journalist was pushed away from the area by the police.

Buse shared the scenes from her Twitter. She said, "The journalist who covers about tortured detentions and tried to film the experiences of the journalist was also blocked by the police. However, we will continue to do our job."

"Additionally, at least four female journalists were besieged by the police at the beginning of the protest, violating their right to report.

"Etkin News Agency (ETHA) reporter Pınar Gayıp, journalist Zeynep Kuray, Artı TV reporter Merve and Özgür Future's Sevda Erkılıç are among the journalists that the police prevented with their shields.

"The CFWIJ condemns the pressure and police violence towards journalists. Journalists are responsible for reporting developments that interest the public. Preventing them is unacceptable. We demand the Turkish authorities to abandon their policies to intimidate journalists."

#Turkey: @evrenselgzt reporter @eylemnazlier was subjected to police violence while following a protest. The police also physically prevented other women journalists from covering the rally. #CFWIJ condemns this attack on free press!

Video courtesy of @umuttastan_. pic.twitter.com/ft0vlkC551

— #WomenInJournalism (@CFWIJ) September 6, 2021

(EMK/SD)