Melek Avci

 

ANKARA - Commenting on the massacre and arrests of Kurdish journalists, CFWIJ Europe Director Maire Rowland said: "We call on the International Criminal Court to send investigators and the United Nations to transparently investigate the motives and actions of the Turkish military in this case. These killings cannot go unanswered. Justice must be served."

 

Journalists Nazım Daştan and Cihan Bilgin, free press workers whose vehicles were targeted by Turkish drones in northern and eastern Syria, were murdered on 19 December. As reactions to the massacre continued from professional organisations, politicians and society, attacks against journalists in an environment of war and conflict were once again condemned. 

 

Máire Rowland, European Director of the Coalition of Women in Journalism (CFWIJ), made evaluations on the massacre and arrests against journalists.

 

 

*When we look at the historical process, we witness policies of oppression, massacres and disappearances against Kurdish journalists from past to present. How do you evaluate this attitude of Turkey towards Kurdish journalists?

 

Creating media in the Kurdish language or reporting on Kurdish issues has become a daily challenge, with authorities routinely raiding homes, detaining reporters, and sentencing them on bogus terrorism charges. This systematic oppression represents a gross violation of press freedom. The Coalition For Women In Journalism has consistently condemned Turkey's treatment of the Kurdish press and urged international partners to stand in solidarity. Since the collapse of peace talks in 2015 and the escalation of conflict in Southeast Turkey, accusations of "terrorism propaganda" have become tools to prosecute Kurdish journalists. These charges often fail to meet international standards for freedom of expression. 

 

Our statistics paint a harrowing picture: since 2019, 54% of legal harassment cases against women journalists documented by CFWIJ involved Kurdish reporters. Of 87 women journalists charged with terror-related offenses, 78% worked for Kurdish media or reported on Kurdish issues.  Kurdish journalists are targeted by Turkish authorities whether reporting on Kurdish issues or any other political event in the country - showing a concerted effort to persecute a minority. Journalism is not terrorism, and Turkish authorities must not be allowed to suppress the Kurdish press under false pretexts. Journalists covering Kurdish political parties, military operations in Syria, or advocating for their persecuted colleagues also face arbitrary and disproportionate legal harassment. This week multiple journalists were detained in Van and Istanbul for protesting the killing of their colleagues in Syria, highlighting how even solidarity is criminalized. The Turkish government's actions against Kurdish journalists amount to a systematic effort to erase their voices and silence their journalism through the criminalization of their work. This must end. Freedom of the press is a fundamental right, and the international community must demand accountability for these continued violations.

 

 

*Journalists Nazım Dashtan and Cihan Bilgin's vehicles were targeted and killed by Turkish drones in Rojava recently. Cihan Bilgin's family shared the information that they were repeatedly called by MİT and asked for their addresses before their daughters were massacred. What can you say about this massacre? 

 

The Coalition For Women In Journalism is outraged and heartbroken by the killing of Cihan Bilgin and Nazım Dashtan. Reports suggesting they were purposefully targeted by the Turkish military are deeply disturbing. If proven true, this would constitute a gross violation of international law. Journalists in conflict zones are protected under international law and must be treated as civilians, not combatants. Deliberately targeting members of the press is a war crime, and Turkish authorities must be held accountable if this is the case. Tragically, this is not an isolated incident. In August 2024, Kurdish journalists Gulistan Tara and Hêro Bahadîn were killed by a Turkish drone strike in Iraqi Kurdistan. Similarly, on July 8, 2024, a Turkish drone strike in Şengal claimed the life of Çira TV reporter Murad Mirza İbrahim and injured journalist Mydia Hussen. These repeated attacks on Kurdish journalists highlight a troubling pattern of impunity. Each of these killings demands an independent investigation. We urge the International Criminal Court to send investigators and call on the United Nations to transparently examine the motives and actions of the Turkish military in these incidents. Kurdish journalists covering conflict cannot be treated as combatants. They must be allowed to report without fearing for their lives. The number of Kurdish journalists killed is rising alarmingly. Their murders cannot go unanswered. Justice must be served, and their families and communities deserve the truth. This cycle of violence against the Kurdish press must end.

 

 

 *Unfortunately, the mainstream media in Turkey distorted the news about Nazım and Cihan, who had only a camera and a notebook, and wrote articles targeting all Kurdish journalists. What do you think about the misleading public opinion and the targeting of journalists because of their opposition?

 

Sadly, this attempt to taint the reputations and tarnish the names of the Kurdish journalists is a tried and tested tactic of the Turkish government. Our documentation of press violations against women journalists since 2019 reveals a deliberate effort by Turkish authorities to equate journalism on Kurdish issues with terrorism, suppressing dissent and legitimate expression within the Kurdish community. This narrative is not just an attack on those who lost their lives but also a calculated move to intimidate journalists and suppress frontline reporting on the conflict. By criminalizing the victims, the government aims to deter solidarity, discourage calls for justice, and muzzle investigations into these killings. It is a dangerous and unjust attempt to erase the truth and prevent accountability. Equating journalism with terrorism undermines press freedom and violates the fundamental right to report without fear. CFWIJ loudly denounces this narrative and calls on all international organizations and media outlets to do the same. The world must not accept such blatant attempts to attack and delegitimize the press. Journalists covering conflicts must be protected, not targeted, and their work must be respected, not criminalized.

 

 

*As you have stated, journalists are one of the professional groups that have immunity in war under international law. When we look at this targeted massacre, how can Turkey's approach be evaluated in terms of international law? 

 

Journalists are protected under the Geneva Conventions and should not be treated as combatants. Deliberately targeting journalists is a war crime, and Turkey must be held accountable if this is the case. The international community should impose sanctions on Turkey for these violations, such as travel bans or restrictions on military aid used to target journalists. This would send a strong message that such actions are unacceptable. In war zones, journalists must be protected. Governments must follow international laws to ensure journalists' safety, give them access to information, and prevent attacks. Independent investigations must be conducted into these killings, and those responsible should face justice. The United Nations and the International Criminal Court should urgently investigate Turkey's actions and ensure accountability. Without consequences, these attacks on journalists will continue, putting press freedom and the lives of reporters at risk.

 

 

*In addition to this massacre, colleagues of the murdered Nazım and Cihan came together to protest the situation, but journalists were also targeted and detained here and 7 journalists were arrested. What do you think about this?

 

In Istanbul, multiple journalists were arrested while protesting the massacre of their colleagues. This followed similar aggressive police actions against journalists protesting in Van, where many have also been detained. This crackdown is a calculated move by Turkish authorities. Just as they labeled the slain journalists as “terrorists,” they now seek to intimidate those demanding accountability by violently suppressing protests and jailing participants. Such actions violate the fundamental right to assemble and express dissent. Journalists who are detained—even if later released—often face years of baseless legal proceedings under charges like violating the Law on Meetings or “insulting a public official” for simply supporting their colleagues.

 

The Coalition For Women In Journalism strongly condemns these unjust detentions and arrests. Targeting journalists who are protesting the killings of their Kurdish colleagues is a direct attack on press freedom, democratic values, and freedom of expression. We demand the immediate release of all detained journalists and an end to the harassment and criminalization of the press. Turkish authorities must be held accountable for these oppressive actions. Journalism is not a crime, and the press must be free to report, protest, and seek justice without fear of persecution.

 

 

 *Finally, what is your call for freedom of the press and these massacres?

 

The killing of Kurdish journalists and the ongoing persecution of the Kurdish press in Turkey are serious violations of international law and press freedom. This must not be overlooked. We demand an independent investigation into these deaths and accountability at all levels. The Coalition For Women In Journalism stands in full support of Kurdish journalists and calls on the international community to join us in condemning these actions and demanding justice. We urge the United Nations and the International Criminal Court to investigate the Turkish government and military's role in these killings. Turkey must be held accountable for violating journalists' rights, and sanctions should be considered to send a strong message. Journalists, especially those reporting from conflict zones, must be protected and allowed to work without fear. We must amplify the voices of Kurdish journalists calling for justice. Their voices matter, and they must be heard without fear of retaliation.