IFJ and EFJ condemn continuing attacks against journalists in Turkey

June 19, 2015

The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) and the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) condemn several attacks against journalists that took place in Diyarbakir in the past few days.

DHA female correspondent Canan AltintaÅŸ and her cameraman Serdar Sinar were badly injured by a group of unidentified armed individuals on 09/06/2015. On the same day Ä°HA correspondent Burak Emek was injured by a group of unidentified armed individuals. Today Kurdish journalist and TGS member Ozan Kilinç (and board member of Özgür Gazeteciler Cemiyeti – ÖGC) has been detained by the police. According to media reports, the police raided Kilinç’s home at 05.00 and heavy-handed arrested him in front of his family members pointing weapons at him and pushing him down on the floor. Kilinç is still in detention at the Diyabakir police center.

“Not one day seems to pass without journalists having to endure new attempts to curb their freedom of speech in Turkey,” said IFJ president Jim Boumelha “ the battle against the press must stop immediately”.

The EFJ and IFJ back their affiliate, the Journalists Union of Turkey (TGS) and strongly condemn these brutal attacks in Diyarbakir on journalists.

“These attacks on journalists and media professionals are also an assault on the public’s right to information. The perpetrators aim to use violence and intimidation to silence journalists and hide the facts from the public. We wish quick recovery to our injured colleagues. The authorities must immediately start an investigation to end impunity against media violations,” said TGS.


For more information contact:
International Federation of Journalists (IFJ)
Phone: + 32 2 235 22 16
Website: www.ifj.org