Support is growing for the Media and Law Studies Association's (MLSA) call to immediately release journalists who were detained on Feb. 18 during an operation targeting the Peoples' Democratic Congress (HDK). The number of organizations backing the appeal has now reached 19, including both international and Turkey-based journalism and human rights groups.
Among the 19 signatories, nine are international organizations. Notable supporters within Turkey include the Journalists’ Association, the Journalists’ Union of Turkey (TGS), the DİSK Press Workers’ Union, and the Progressive Journalists’ Association (ÇGD). Internationally, the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ), the International Press Institute (IPI), and Civil Rights Defenders are among the groups endorsing the statement.
Full statement:
Release the journalists immediately!
As press freedom and human rights organizations, we strongly condemn the detention of four journalists on Feb. 18, 2025, and demand their immediate release.
On the morning of Feb. 18, during an operation led by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office against the Peoples' Democratic Congress (HDK), several artists and politicians were detained alongside journalists Yıldız Tar, editor-in-chief of Kaos GL; Elif Akgül, an independent journalist; Ercüment Akdeniz, a presenter at İlke TV; and Ender İmrek, a reporter.
The fact that journalists—who regularly visit courthouses to report on trials and support colleagues facing prosecution—were detained in a raid rather than being summoned for testimony is a clear attack on journalism and the public’s right to information.
Furthermore, journalists have been denied access to their lawyers, who have been unable to obtain information about the case due to a confidentiality order imposed on the investigation.
The lack of transparency surrounding these detentions and operations is part of an escalating crackdown on press freedom in Turkey. In January alone, 18 journalists were detained, with nine being arrested. In the first two weeks of February, six journalists were detained while covering protests in Van against government-appointed trustees.
These journalists have long fought for press freedom and have a duty to inform the public. The government has an obligation to ensure that journalists, human rights defenders, and civil society actors can work freely and safely.
Journalism is not a crime, and no form of pressure or intimidation can silence the press.
We call for an immediate end to these attacks on journalists and demand the unconditional release of Yıldız Tar, Elif Akgül, Ercüment Akdeniz, and Ender İmrek.
Signatory organizations:
- Media and Law Studies Association (MLSA)
- European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF)
- Dicle Fırat Journalists Association (DFGD)
- Journalists’ Association (Ankara)
- Mesopotamia Women Journalists Association (MKG)
- Women Journalists Association
- Journalists’ Union of Turkey (TGS)
- DİSK Press Workers’ Union
- KESK News Union (Haber-Sen)
- International Press Institute (IPI)
- Osservatorio Balcani Caucaso Transeuropa (OBCT)
- Journalists’ Association
- Punto24 Independent Journalism Association (P24)
- Progressive Journalists’ Association (ÇGD)
- European Federation of Journalists (EFJ)
- Civil Rights Defenders
- Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders – International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH)
- Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders – World Organization Against Torture (OMCT)
- Journalists and Media Workers’ Union, Russia
