AMED – MKG and DFG condemned the operations carried out against Free Press workers in Belgium and Turkey and said, “We call out to the centers of power; Know that these attacks cannot deter free press workers. Give up such tendencies now."

 

Mezopotamya Women Journalists Association (MKG) and Dicle Fırat Journalists Association (DFG) made written statements regarding the raid on the news studios of Stêrk TV and Medya Haber TV in Belgium and the detention of journalists in Ankara and Istanbul. 

 

MKG: JOURNALISTS MUST BE RELEASED IMMEDIATELY

 

In the statement, a call was made to end the detentions and attacks against the free press. In the statement made by MKG, the following statements were included: “This morning we have learned the news that many journalists were detained in Istanbul and Ankara. The detentions carried out within the scope of this investigation initiated by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, the reasons for which have not yet been shared with the public, are an unacceptable intervention against freedom of the press. Journalism is one of the indispensable elements of democratic societies. Such arbitrary practices faced by journalists while fulfilling their duty to inform the public are a serious violation of rights that concerns the entire society. These detentions are an attack on the freedom of information not only of the detained journalists but also of the society. As the Mezopotamya Women Journalists Association (MKG), we invite all relevant authorities to end these pressures on journalists and protect press freedom. We also call on national and international human rights organizations to defend the rights of journalists and oppose these arbitrary practices. We demand the immediate release of the detained journalists.”

 

DFG: WE WILL CONTINUE TO BRING THE SOCIETY TOGETHER WITH THE TRUTH

 

In the statement made by DFG, it was pointed out that during the raids carried out in Belgium, the news center studios of Stêrk TV and Medya Haber TV were raided and their materials were seized. In the statement, which underlined that journalists were also detained in house raids in Ankara and Istanbul, the following statements were made: “First of all, we would like to point out that we do not see it as a coincidence that Kurdish media institutions and Kurdish journalists were once again targeted, one day after April 22, which is the Kurdish Journalists' Day. Likewise, it would be a mistake to consider these operations independent of the political process. It seems that the political power, which cannot digest the situation that emerged from the March 31 local elections, is planning to overcome the political deadlock by turning to the Kurds once again. The first step of this, as always, was to turn to Free Press workers and media organs. It is a matter of concern for us that the attacks on journalistic activities extend to Europe, and that a European country that has always praised itself for freedom of thought and expression is now complicit in attacks targeting our colleagues. This also means that Europe's approach to democracy, freedom of thought and expression is open to debate. In this direction; We would like to underline that we will not remain silent in the face of the operations taking place.

 

We would like you to know that; We will continue to expose all policies targeting democracy and freedom, especially war policies, as a sacred necessity of our journalism activities and to bring the society together with the truth. We call out to the centers of power; Know that these attacks cannot deter free press workers. Give up such tendencies now. For this reason, we demand the immediate release of our detained colleagues and call for solidarity with all our journalist friends who are struggling to reveal the truth.”