AMED - MKGP announced the report of rights violations against women journalists in 2022, it was stated that 18 women journalists were imprisoned.

 

The Mesopotamia Women Journalists Platform (MKGP) announced its 2022 report of rights violations against women journalists at the Dicle Fırat Journalists Association (DFG) building. While journalists joined the statement, MKGP member journalist Gülşen Koçuk read the Turkish version of the report, and another member journalist Medya Üren read the Kurdish version.

 

'They did not hesitate to practice their profession'

 

Stating that 2022 will be a difficult year for many segments, Gülşen stated that this also applies to journalists and women journalists in particular. Noting that in this environment where male-state violence has increased systematically, Gülşen noted that women journalists did not hesitate to practice their profession in the way of truth in 2022 and said, “This journey of truth of female journalists was tried to be stopped by the means of violence by the same male-state. In Kurdistan and Turkey, female journalists were prevented from reporting, detained, tortured, arrested and murdered by the sexist, nationalist, monist, authoritarian AKP-MHP regime. In this sense, emphasizing the reality of the power that wants to make journalists unable to report on January 10 Working Journalists' Day, stands at a place where we, as the Free Press, consider ourselves responsible.”

 

'Journalism is being destroyed'

 

Gülşen stated that in Kurdistan and Turkey, where women and children are subjected to male violence and nature is massacred, the government considers it their duty to legitimize this understanding, which also nourishes itself, instead of preventing violence. Gülşen said, “The government, which aims to destroy journalism by creating a monophonic press with the media, which is no longer the fourth power, has almost declared a war against the Free Press, which stands against the pro-media army. This male-state mind, which previously tried to force the Free Press to take a step back by using closures, obstructions and detentions as a method, failed to do so, and found the solution in imprisoning and murdering Free Press workers. The government, which does not hesitate to turn to Kurdish women journalists because it exposes the crimes it is the perpetrator of within the scope of its special war policies in Kurdistan, showed this with its operations in 2022. As part of the investigation launched by the Diyarbakır Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, 16 of 22 people, including 20 journalists, were arrested on June 16, by the court they were brought to. Among the 16 journalists arrested by the judiciary, who tried to forcefully produce crime out of journalism, there are 4 women journalists, including JINNEWS News Director Safiye Alağaş.”

 

The free female press will win over the masculine press.

 

In the end, unfortunately, it is not possible to talk about Working Journalists' Day in the country under the rule of AKP-MHP regime, which brought the violations of rights that it has continued for 20 years to the top in 2022. In fact, there is a need to talk more about 'disemployed journalists' today. Journalists who, with the persistence and determination of Musa Anter and Gurbetelli Ersöz, did not let go of their pen and camera, even under the conditions of 2022, when journalists were pointed at guns and threatened to be murdered, were also on duty for their colleagues who were taken prisoner, that is, who were not made to work. Leaving 2022 behind and at the beginning of a new year, we say that the tradition of the free female press, which resists the male-state system and the male media line, will win against the masculine press.

 

On the occasion of January 10, Working Journalists' Day, as MKGP, we are announcing the rights violations against women journalists in November-December and the '2022 Report of Violations of Rights Against Women Journalists'.

 

Rights violations in November and December

 

The violations of rights experienced in the first 10 months of 2022 continued in November as well. As part of the 25 November International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, women in many cities took to the streets to oppose male-state violence, and again faced violence. In November, the prosecution of 11 journalists continued for their journalistic activities. Sentencing was demanded for 1 journalist. 3 journalists were sentenced to a total of 123 months and 5 days in prison. 7 journalists were prevented from shooting by the police. 3 journalists were subjected to police violence. Two journalists were detained. 1 journalist was fined 2 thousand 180 TL for his professional activities. The police damaged the equipment of 2 journalists during the news follow-up.

 

A journalist did not have access to health

 

On the one hand, journalists were prevented from following the news, and on the other hand, access to the published news was blocked. In November, a news report about the massacre of women was blocked on 15 different platforms. Rights violations against journalists, who were detained by depriving them of their most basic rights, continued in prison. 1 journalist's right of access to healthcare was violated by not being taken to the hospital. In November, a detained journalist was examined in handcuffs. Journalists held in Sincan Closed Prison faced many rights violations such as hot water and heating problems, violation of the privacy of their private areas, canteen and shopping problems, restriction of their right to receive information, and restriction of common areas and social activities.

 

Prosecutor's reason for 'on leave'

 

In December, the appeal against the arrest of 9 journalists under arrest was not processed on the grounds that the prosecutor was on leave. The Ministry also became a partner in the violation of preventing a journalist's right to treatment by asking him to be examined in handcuffs. The Ministry of Health, where an application was made regarding the violation, argued that "the examination can be done with handcuffs". Operations against journalists continued in December. 1 journalist was detained. 1 journalist was arrested for his professional activities. While 1 journalist was blocked during news follow-up, the equipment of 1 journalist was confiscated. 1 journalist was subjected to male violence. A lawsuit was filed against 2 journalists. The trial of 8 journalists continued. A penalty was demanded for 1 journalist. A journalist whose trial was completed and a television channel were fined 60 thousand TL in total. Access to various news sites was blocked due to 5 news stories. The right of opinion of an imprisoned journalist was denied.”