Press freedom organisations have signed a joint statement calling for the immediate release of journalist Tuğba Tekerek.
The groups say they are deeply concerned by what they describe as a crackdown by Turkish authorities on the LGBTIQA+ community and media organisations that report on LGBTIQA+ issues.
On 12 September, a court in Türkiye approved the blocking of several news websites, including Kaos GL, which has been publishing for more than 20 years. Authorities argued that the publishers had promoted obscene content. Personal social media accounts belonging to journalists, editors, lawyers and human rights defenders were also blocked.
On the same day, raids were carried out across multiple locations, resulting in the detention of 116 people, 82 of whom were later arrested.
Press freedom organisations argue that the seizure of phones, computers and digital materials belonging to those detained violates the confidentiality of journalistic sources. They say the risk of correspondence with sources and other sensitive communications being disclosed undermines journalists’ obligation to protect their sources and threatens the security of journalistic activity.
Tuğba Tekerek, a journalist, was arrested during the raids and remains in detention. During a court appearance in Ankara, it was announced that her arrest relates to an article she wrote two years ago about elections in Georgia.
Alongside her work for Kaos GL, Tekerek has also written for several international publications, including DW.
Fiona O’Brien, Europe and Central Asia regional director for the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), said the arrest was unacceptable.
“It’s unacceptable that journalist Tuğba Tekerek was imprisoned for doing some freelance work for an LGBTQ+ publication years ago,” O’Brien said.
“This kind of indiscriminate and retrospective prosecution not only infringes her rights, but also sends a chilling message to all journalists.
“Turkish authorities should release Tekerek unconditionally and without delay, and stop pursuing journalists who are covering the crackdown.”
Alongside CPJ, the Media and Law Studies Association, PEN Norway, the Progressive Journalists Association, the Dicle Fırat Journalists Association, the International Press Institute (IPI), the Norwegian Helsinki Committee, the Journalists’ Union of Turkey and the Punto24 Independent Journalism Association (P24) have also supported the call.
