Human Rights Watch:
(Istanbul, April 25, 2023) –Absent any credible evidence of wrongdoing, Turkey should release dozens of Kurdish journalists, political party officials, and lawyers arrested in raids on April 25, 2023, in advance of the May 14 national elections, 18 organizations including Human Rights Watch said today. The following is their statement:
Turkey: International groups demand release of Kurdish journalists, lawyers, political party officials arrested in pre-election crackdown
Media freedom, freedom of expression, and human rights organisations call on Turkish authorities to stop the systematic harassment and intimidation of Kurdish journalists, media workers, media outlets, the lawyers that defend them, and Kurdish political party officials, give them access to legal counsel, disclose full details of charges brought and to ensure that they are released from detention. We reiterate the need for a free and pluralistic media atmosphere in the run up to the elections that will be held on 14 May 2023.
On 25 April, coordinated dawn raids in Turkey targeted homes and offices of 128 people including journalists, lawyers, rights defenders, political activists and artists in 20 provinces, based on unclear charges. The state-run Anadolu Agency reported that the Diyarbakır-based operation is related to anti-terror investigations led by Diyarbakır Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office. It was also reported that arrest warrants were issued against 216 people in total.
Among those that have been detained so far are 10 journalists and a lawyer who represents arrested journalists. Technical equipment, computers, books and documents belonging to journalists were also confiscated by the police during the raids.