Journalists Nadiye Gürbüz, Pınar Gayıp and Elif Bayburt, who were arrested in operations targeting the Socialist Party of the Oppressed (ESP), sent a message to MLSA from Bakırköy Closed Women’s Prison in Istanbul, saying they were detained because of their journalistic activities and calling on colleagues to strengthen solidarity.
MLSA – Gürbüz, Gayıp and Bayburt, who were arrested as part of operations against the Socialist Party of the Oppressed (ESP), conveyed a message to MLSA from the Bakırköy Closed Women’s Prison, where they are being held.
“Wherever we are, we will continue to be the voice of the truth”
In her message, Nadiye Gürbüz said:
“We are in a geography where socialist journalism is considered a crime. A policy is being followed in which the truth is obscured by the government and its allied media, and lies are regarded as a principle. Wherever we are, we will continue to pursue the truth and to be the voice of the truth. In this process, we thank all journalist friends who have stood by us and shown the kindness of solidarity, as well as the socialist revolutionary free press and its workers.”
“We expect lots of letters and books from everyone”
In her message, Elif Bayburt said:
“First of all, we thank everyone, especially our colleagues, for the great solidarity shown to us. The reason for our arrest is our entire journalistic activity, from covering the March 12 Gazi massacre commemorations to the Suruç commemorations, from the March 19 protests to unions’ protests against workplace killings. In addition, as a volunteer of the Occupational Health and Safety Assembly (İSİG), our work against child worker deaths is also among the accusations. In other words, we are accused as a whole of making the voice of the working class and the oppressed heard and of practicing socialist journalism by taking their side. We take this accusation as a badge of honor.
If it is a crime to make the voice of the working class, women and youth heard against workplace killings, mass massacres and rights violations, we will continue to commit this crime. We are well, we are just revolutionary-curious to learn what is happening outside, since almost no opposition press enters here. Therefore, we expect lots of letters and books from everyone. We will continue to produce inside, and we trust our colleagues outside to fill the gaps.”
“With love to those who show solidarity”
In her message, Pınar Gayıp said:
“Although I have been practicing journalism for years, my home was raided and I was taken into custody. I was targeted with news reports about numerous unlawful acts. If it is a crime to report on the oppressed, then we as ETHA workers will continue to commit this crime. The socialist press will not be silenced; it will tear apart the darkness. With love to those who show solidarity. Our pens are free.”
