'International action must be taken against murder of journalists'

  • actual
  • 10:48 13 February 2025
  • |
img

NEWS CENTRE - Drawing attention to the attacks and massacres against journalists in the Federated Kurdistan Region, journalist Baran Germiyani said, "The lives of journalists working here are in danger. Therefore, an international action must be taken against these attacks."

In the last 5 years, 13 Kurdish journalists have been massacred in the Federated Kurdistan Region and North and East Syria in Turkey's air strikes. Most recently, journalist Aziz Köylüoğlu was killed in a Turkish drone attack in Sulaymaniyah on 27 January. Journalists in the Federated Kurdistan Region face daily pressure, threats, obstructions, arrests and detentions by the KDP and work under difficult conditions. Botan Germiyanî, a journalist in the region, evaluated the attacks against journalists in the region.
 
Stating that the KDP implemented Turkey's policies towards journalists in the region, Germiyanî said, "In the 1990s, the KDP, which cooperated with Turkey, tortured and murdered dozens of journalists. These include Serdeşt Osman, Wedat Husên, Soran Miheme and many others. The bodies of many of our murdered journalist friends are still missing. KDP implemented the Turkish state's policy towards journalists. Its pressure, threats and censorship never ended. It tried to silence the Free Press. By murdering journalists in the region, they want to hide the truth from the public. The Turkish state and the KDP have launched a new attack against journalists in the South in recent years. Everyone knows why the Turkish government targets the free press in Southern Kurdistan. Turkey is targeting the free press in order to hide the attacks it has launched in the region. Who will be aware of what is happening if we do not write about it and visualise it? That is why they are aware of our power and our friends are deliberately identified and targeted."
 
Underlining that they will continue the legacy of truth left by Aziz Köylüoğlu, Germiyanî said, "Turkey should know this well; we will continue to write the truth. Our journalist friend Aziz Köylüoğlu may not be with us physically today, but the struggle for truth he left us will be with us. We will keep his spirit of struggle alive. We will continue the struggle he left us like the first day. Despite all attacks and attempts to silence us, we will continue the struggle we started. This journey and struggle for truth is never-ending."
 
'MASSACRES MUST BE STOPPED'
 
Reacting to the silence of the Iraqi and Federated Kurdistan Region governments against the attacks, Germiyanî added, "Especially since 1991, Turkey's attacks against Southern Kurdistan have increased and as a result over 700 civilians have lost their lives. Especially in the last two years, 66 civilians lost their lives and 41 civilians were injured. This year 56 civilians were killed and 4 houses were destroyed. In other words, the attacks are still continuing, but there is a great silence against this. Turkey is attacking within the framework of the treaty signed between Iraq and Turkey. If these attacks are not opposed at the international level, another civilian or journalist will be killed every day. The lives of journalists working here are in danger. Therefore, an international attitude must be developed against the massacre of journalists and the massacres must be stopped as soon as possible."

View More Articles

18/07/2025
21:10 85-year-old ill prisoner Sıddık Guler releases
21:01 What decisions taken at Commission meeting?
19:55 Release of 30-year prisoner postponed for the 2nd time
19:03 2 journalists acquitted 1 journalist sentenced
12:05 Central Anatolian Kurds stand with the peace process
11:17 Parties gathered for the commission
11:07 Families of fighters at disarmament ceremony: The world saw Ocalan’s theoretical and practical power
10:41 Peace Mother: safe return path must be opened for the guerrillas
10:16 Salih Muslim: We reject surrender, a change in mindset is needed
09:51 Hundreds of women kidnapped in Syria
17/07/2025
10:48 Rojava Revolution marks 13 years: We will not give up our gains
16/07/2025
15:13 Imrali Delegation statement after meeting with Minister of Justice
12:57 Holloway: I am deeply honored to join voices supporting peace process
10:22 Saw his brother the historic ceremony: We want to see him among us
10:07 Partido Obrero supports 'I want to visit Ocalan' campaign
10:00 Witnessed the historic ceremony: Kurds should trust themselves, not the state
15/07/2025
16:57 Urgent demands from TTB for the process
15:10 Suwayda statement from Damascus: Ceasefire declared
15:03 Druze Spiritual Leader: The statement made in our name does not reflect our will
14:43 Damascus forces enter Suwayda: Curfew declared
14:38 Nagehan Avcil from OHD: Recognition of the ‘Right to Hope’ will contribute to the peace process
13:05 Newala Qesaba faces threat of concrete development
11:09 Lawyer following ceremony: Legal reforms must be implemented swiftly
10:04 Peace process is an opportunity to end attacks on nature say ecologists
09:26 Tells PJAK meeting: Freedom is only possible through national unity
09:13 Margaret Owen: No real peace process can until Öcalan is free
08:14 'Democratic Society Meetings' continue
14/07/2025
18:01 14 July resistance fighters commemorated in many cities
17:48 DEM Party Imrali Delegation to meet Minister of Justice
17:00 DEM Party İmralı Delegation's statement on 'meeting note'
15:48 Ahmet Özer released from 'urban concencus' case
15:25 Request of arrest to 3 people beaten for listening to Kurdish song
15:22 Clashes in Suwayda: 37 killed
13:23 High-level meeting between KDP and PUK
11:40 DBP, DEVA, SAADET: Commission and legal process should not be delayed
11:02 Palestine Action banned in the UK: An unjust legislation
10:51 Wan residents to state: We expect official confirmation, not just words
09:00 İmralı delegation's meeting date with political parties announced
08:49 'Democratic Society' meetings continue
08:33 CHP-affiliated Şile Municipality Mayor arrested
13/07/2025
22:13 Statement from DAANES on talks with the Damascus administration
15:58 The duty to build peace lies with all of us says DEM Party Group Deputy Chair
14:03 25 thousand people informed about the ‘Peace and Democratic Society Process’
12:43 People of Amed: We want freedom and equality
11:55 Two of her children joined the PKK: We all have a great burden on our shoulders
11:29 Mother sees her daughter at ceremony after 12 years: We want peace
10:52 IHD Co-chair who followed ceremony: The state has no more excuse
10:33 Women figth for national unity: Goal is national congress
10:03 DEM Party MPs: Parliament should play an active role in solution
09:47 Footage of forest destruction in Besta and Biliga