Mezopotamya Women Journalists' Association (MKG) announced the 2024 Report on Rights Violations against Women Journalists. Many women journalists attended the statements held at MKG's association building. MKG member Rojda Aydın read the report in Kurdish and MKG Executive Arjin Dilek Öncel read the report in Kurdish and MKG Executive Arjin Dilek Öncel read the report in Turkish. Arjin Dilek Öncel stated that 2024 was a year in which pressures against journalists deepened and heavy threats were posed to the Free Press. 

 

'NAZIM DAŞTAN AND CI·HAN BI·LGI·N MURDERED'

 

Arjin Dilek Öncel stated that many members of the press, especially women journalists, face physical attacks, legal intimidation and gender-based discrimination in the field an in the digital envioranment. She said, "One of the most concrete examples of vioalence agianst journalists in 2024 was the murder of journalists Nazım Daştan and Cihan Bilgin, who were following the attacks on Qerekozak and Tishreen Dam. On 19 December, during the attacks of Turkey and the accompanying paramilitary group SNA on North and East Syria, the journalists were targeted by a Turkish UCAV, despite the fact that their vehicles were clearly marked 'PRESS'. This attack, which took place on the road between the Tishreen Dam and the town of Sirîn, revealed the extent of violations against the right to life of members of the press."

 

Arjin Dilek Öncel emphasised that the attacks were carried out in defiance of the principles of international law and freedom of the press and said that journalists were subjected to both psychological and physical violence.

 

Arjin Dilek Öncel stated that journalists working in the field faced threats not only to access information but also to their safety of life. "Legal pressures continued to be used as a systematic tool to silence journalists. Throughout 2024, many journalists were prosecuted for their critical reporting and were subjected to lengthy and corrosive court proceedings," she said. 

 

VIOLATIONS

 

According to the report; 30 journalists were attacked, 10 journalists were raided, 8 journalists were summoned to testify, 3 journalists were issued warrants, 4 journalists were arrested, 45 journalists were subjected to ill-treatment, 17 journalists were threatened, 40 journalists were prevented from following the news and 8 journalists were violated in prisons. 

 

In 2024, 37 journalists were subjected to investigations, 29 journalists were prosecuted and 25 journalists were sentenced in court. In the report, the total prison sentence given to journalists in 1 year was 52 years, 9 months and 17 days. The report stated that while the number of journalists on trial was 183, 8 journalists were under arrest as of 7 January. The report also stated that 6 journalists were dismissed from their jobs.