In the second panel discussion hosted by the Media and Law Studies Association (MLSA), the issue of impunity in journalist murders took center stage. The event, titled "Unsolved Murders: Combating Impunity in Journalist Killings," marked the second annual gathering organized by MLSA and was held on the evening of November 15th at the Anarad Hığutyun building of the Hrant Dink Foundation.
The panel featured prominent figures, including Alaz Erdost, the daughter of publisher İlhan Erdost; Veysi Polat, the nephew of Hafız Akdemir, a journalist from Özgür Gündem; and Veran Matić, the Chairman of the Serbian Commission for Unsolved Journalist Murders. The discussion was moderated by Eren Keskin, a leading human rights advocate in Turkey.
Matthew Caruana Galizia, the son of Maltese investigative journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, who was tragically killed in 2017, opened the event. He expressed his dual mission of seeking justice for his mother's killers and continuing her work on the Paradise Papers investigation. He emphasized the need for journalists in oppressive countries to unite under a demand for justice that transcends ideologies.
Özge Mumcu, the daughter of Uğur Mumcu, an investigative journalist who lost his life in 1993, shared insights into the legal process following her father's murder. She pointed out that these murders often leave cases unfinished, and it is crucial to keep pursuing these matters to prevent them from fading into obscurity.
Eren Keskin, moderating the panel, reminded the audience of the challenging environment journalists face in Turkey and stressed the importance of acknowledging the ongoing struggle against impunity. She discussed the legacy of the temporary Article 15 of the Turkish Constitution, which hindered accountability for human rights abuses during the period following the 1980 military coup.
Veysi Polat recounted the events surrounding the murder of his uncle, Hafız Akdemir, a journalist who was killed in Sur, Diyarbakır, in 1992. Polat and Akdemir were together when the attack occurred, and he highlighted the challenges they faced in the aftermath, including the unauthorized burial of his uncle by the police.
Veran Matić, who heads the Serbian Commission for Unsolved Journalist Murders, shared his experiences as a journalist in Serbia during the turbulent 1990s. He detailed the closure of his television channel and his own arrests, torture, and witnessing of fellow journalists' deaths. Matić stressed the importance of international involvement in preventing journalist murders and addressing the broader issue of human rights violations.
The panel concluded with a discussion on the necessity of creating institutions that ensure the safety of journalists facing threats and violence due to their professional work. The speakers highlighted the need for state involvement in investigating these crimes, especially in countries where journalists are at risk. The event shed light on the ongoing struggle for justice and accountability in cases of journalist murders, highlighting the importance of international support and recognition of these issues.
