CRY FREEDOM.net
Welcome to cryfreedom.net,
formerly known as Womens
Liberation Front.
A website
that hopes to draw and keeps your attention for both the global 21th. century 3rd. feminist revolution as well
as especially for the Zan, Zendegi, Azadi uprising in Iran and the struggles of our sisters in other parts of the Middle East. This online magazine
that started December 2019 will
be published every week. Thank you for your time and interest.
|
|
December week 4-3 -- December week 2 -- December week 1 -- November week 4 part2 -- November week 4 -- November week 3 -- November week 2 -- November week 1 -- October 27 - 24 -- October 23 - 19 -- October 18 - 11 -- October 10 - September 27 -- September 26 - 22 -- September 21 - 14 -- 15 - 4 Sept. -- August 31 - July 5, 2023
(Updates December 22, 2023)
|
When one hurts or kills a women
one hurts or kills hummanity and is an antrocitie.
Gino d'Artali
and: My mother (1931-1997) always said to me <Mi
figlio, non esistono notizie <vecchie> perche puoi imparare qualcosa da
qualsiasi notizia.> Translated: <My son, there is no such thing as so
called 'old' news because you can learn something from any news.>
Gianna d'Artali.
Jinha - 13 Dec 2023 - by BERJIN KARA
<<Support from women of Makhmour to hunger strike in prisons: We should
unite
Makhmour- On November 27, 2023, political prisoners across Northern
Kurdistan and Turkey launched a rotational hunger strike demanding
<freedom for Abdullah Öcalan and a resolution to the Kurdish question>.
Women living in the Makhmour Martyr Rustem Cudi Camp (Makhmour Refugee
Camp) expressed their support to the hunger strike and called on the
Kurdish people to be in solidarity with the hunger strikers and take an
immediate action for freedom of Kurdish leader Abdullah Ocalan.
'The isolation imposed on our leader is an isolation imposed on all
Kurdish people'
Ezima Avyani, resident of the camp, thinks the isolation imposed on
Kurdish leader Abdullah Ocalan is against human rights. <The isolation
imposed on our leader is an isolation imposed on all Kurdish people.
Millions support him and demand his freedom. We have received no news
from him for three years. All Kurdish people should take to the streets
until we ensure our leader’s physical freedom,> she said.
'We should not leave the hunger strikers alone'
Ezima Avyani also spoke about the hunger strike launched by political
prisoners. <We should not leave the hunger strikers alone. Many hunger
strikers are sick, suffering from many diseases such as heart diseases
and hypertension. All countries remain silent against the isolation
imposed on our leader because they are a party to the international
conspiracy against our leader. They are afraid that all crises suffered
by the Middle East will end, if our leader speaks out. We call on all
political parties in Kurdistan to put pressure on countries to ensure
the physical freedom of our leader.>
'Kurdish people should take action against the isolation'
Zehra Avci called on Kurdish people, especially Kurdish women to <take
action against the isolation. Kurdish mothers and women should support
the hunger strike launched by political prisoners. Our leader has been
held in prison for 25 years and no news has received from him for three
years. All Kurds should unite to demand the physical freedom of our
leader. I call on the international community not to remain silent
anymore.> >>
Source incl. 1 video:
https://jinhaagency.com/en/actual/support-from-women-of-makhmour-to-hunger-strike-in-prisons-we-should-unite-34291?page=1
Women resist in Idlib
Jinha - 12 Dec 2023 - by LINA EL-XETIB
<<Women resist male violence, social pressure in Idlib
Idlib- Women are subjected to violence in all facets of life in the city
of Idlib, occupied by the Turkish state and Turkish-backed Hay'at Tahrir
al-
Sham. Women are subjected to all forms of violence and social pressure
in the city, where the clashes continue. Samira Al-Alavi, who lives in
the Salqin town of Idlib, is one of the survivors of violence. <My
husband used violence against me and my children many times. I couldn't
stand it anymore and decided to leave him. I was subjected to all forms
of ill-treatment by him. He told me that he used violence against me
because he was jealous of me. For months, he did not allow me to go out
and see my family. He also beat our children, even our one-year-old
baby. I told everything to my family and left him. I found a job to earn
a living for my children. I work as a cleaner now. I do not need
anybody. It's time for me to live without being subjected to physical,
verbal and psychological violence.>
'I filed a criminal complaint against him'
Baraa Al-Hassan, 20, is one of the survivors of violence. She was forced
into marriage by her father when she was 15. <I wanted to go to school
but my father did not allow me and forced me to marry my cousin.
However, my life turned into an unbearable hell. Still, many men beat
their wives to discipline them. I was subjected to violence every day by
him. I spent two years with him. I went to my family house to get rid of
my husband; however, my father forced me to return. I was subjected to
violence when I was pregnant for the first time. He beat me so much that
I had a miscarriage. That time, I made a decision; I provoked him to
beat me again. Then, I filed a criminal complaint against him.>
'I realized my dream'
After Baraa Al-Hassan got divorced from her abusive husband, she began
to face social pressure because she is a divorced woman. “I ignored the
social pressure against me. I always wanted to be a teacher. I decided
to realize my dream. I returned to school and completed my education. I
realized my dream. I work as a teacher now. My ex-husband was released
from prison after six months. He did everything not to allow me to have
a normal life. He threatened to kill me if I marry someone else. I will
never return to him and take a step back.>
She was subjected to violence by her brother
Samira Al-Khatib, 27, is a displaced woman from Aleppo living in Idlib.
After her husband died, she moved to her brother's home with her child.
However, she was subjected to violence by her brother. “He used violence
against me in order to please his own wife. Then, I decided to leave his
house and build my own life. I rented a small house. Now, I work as an
agricultural worker. Although I face difficulties, I am happy because I
am not subjected to violence anymore.>
'Free and safe shelters must be provided for survivors of violence'
Nawal Al-Sayyid is a social worker living in the Sarmada town of Idlib.
She thinks that the Syrian war led to the increase in domestic violence.
<Displacement and poor living conditions increase domestic violence. All
forms of violence against women are crimes against humanity. Survivors
of violence mostly suffer from depressive disorder and anxiety disorder.
Some women cannot leave their abusive husbands due to financial
problems. Free and safe shelters must be provided for survivors of
violence.> >>
Source:
https://jinhaagency.com/en/actual/women-resist-male-violence-social-pressure-in-idlib-34280?page=1
Spokepersons Egypt ...
Jinha - 12 Dec 2023 - by ASMAA FATHI
<<Awareness-raising activities against gender-based violence in Egypt
Cairo- Trauma, depression, anxiety or panic attacks are among the
consequences of violence against women. As part of the global 16-day
activism campaign against gender-based violence, Egyptian women's
organizations have organized awareness-raising activities to eliminate
violence against women.
NuJINHA spoke to women activists about awareness-raising activities in
Upper Egypt.
The Ana Masry Organization for Training and Development in Qena, a city
in Upper Egypt, is one of the organizations providing psychological,
legal and financial support to survivors of gender-based violence. Asma
Sayed, member of the organization, told us that one of the most
important consequences of gender-based violence in Upper Egypt is loss
of confidence and constant fear. <Women do not report violence against
them due to social reactions. Women are held responsible for violence
against them. Most survivors of violence remain silent in fear of being
stigmatized. I met several girls, who had been assaulted or harassed on
public transportation. Some of them could not go out for a while for
fear that the same thing would happen again.>
'Our activities aim to build up their self-confidence'
Asma Sayed called on all survivors of gender-based violence to speak
out. <They should not accept violence. The spaces of women and girls are
constantly violated. Awareness should be raised on gender-based
violence. As the organization, we have carried out many activities to
raise awareness in Upper Egypt. Our activities aim to build up
self-confidence of survivors of violence. Awareness-raising activities
are important for survivors of violence not to remain silent.>
'Girl survivors of violence should be listened to'
Yusra Abdel Salam is a psychologist providing psychological support to
refugee children in Upper Egypt. She thinks that the most important
thing that affects families in the future is violence against girls at
an early age. <Because they blame themselves and this can lead to
suicide. Girls survivors of violence should be listened to by their
parents. Their parents should believe in their daughters. Psychological
and legal support should be provided to girls survivors of violence.>
Yusra Abdel Salam talked about the story of two sisters, who were
sexually assaulted by their teacher. <They did not understand what had
happened to them. They were 16 years old and afraid of telling their
family what had happened to them. For a year, they suffered from trauma,
depression, anxiety or panic attacks until one of them told their mother
what had happened to them. Their family did not want to report the
incident until they received psychological support. After they filed a
criminal complaint against the teacher, the teacher was arrested and
then sentenced to seven years in prison. Now, the sisters feel better.>
>>
Source incl. 2 videos:
https://jinhaagency.com/en/actual/h-34281?page=1
Xeta Jine
Jinha - 11 Dec 2023 - by MEDINE MAMEDOGLU
<<University student: Dormitories, faculties and cafes have become
facilities used for special war policies
Amed- Female university students announced that they founded Xeta Jine
(Women's Line) on November 25, International Day for the Elimination of
Violence against Women, to draw attention to the role of young women
against occupation, isolation and war. Under the umbrella of Xeta Jine,
female university students will fight special war policies and the
patriarchal mindset.
Elif Delal Alakus
In an interview with NuJINHA, Elif Delal Alakuş, a university student
and member of the Xeta Jine, called on all women to be in solidarity
with each other. Indicating that the AKP-MHP fascist regime has tried to
implement many of its dirty policies on society, especially for eight
years, Elif Delal Alakuş said, <Young women are targeted by these
policies because young women play a leading role. These policies use
individual freedom, fake love and affection to target young women. The
disappearance of Gulistan Doku shows this. Dormitories, faculties and
cafes have become special war facilities.>
'We will use self-defense against the tyrant and rapist system'
Speaking about the aim of the policies, she said, <The aim is to
disconnect us from our culture, language and social life in order to
create 'acceptable women'. We have no alternative other than resisting
systematic attacks against us. We founded Xeta Jinê against the tyrant
and rapist system. We will use self-defense against this system. We will
organize ourselves with the perspective of 'Jin, Jiyan, Azadi' and we
are determined to crown the women's resistance spreading all around the
world.>
<Our aim is to raise awareness among young people>
Underlining that the aim of Xeta Jine is to raise awareness among young
people against special war and assimilation policies, Elif Delal Karakuş
said, <We will carry out activities across Kurdistan targeted by special
war policies. Accessing drugs in Kurdistan cities has become much easier
than meeting basic needs. Drugs are sold in cafes, campuses and
dormitories to keep young people away from politics and struggle. Our
aim is to raise awareness against these policies. We will always resist
assimilation, isolation, occupation and war. We call on all women,
especially young women, whose hearts beat for freedom, to support Xeta
Jine.> >>
Source:
https://jinhaagency.com/en/actual/university-student-dormitories-faculties-and-cafes-have-become-facilities-used-for-special-war-policies-34270?page=1
Jinha - 11 Dec 2023 - RUBARIN BEKIR
<<Women of Afrin, Shahba: We will not remain silent against the
isolation
Shahba- The magnitude 5.1 earthquake that struck the Gulf of Gemlik on
December 4 raised concerns about Kurdish leader Abdullah Ocalan, who has
not been allowed to see his lawyers and family members for 33 months. In
an interview with NuJINHA, displaced women of Afrin, who have been
living in Shahba, and the women of Shahba expressed their concerns about
Abdullah Ocalan.
'Our concerns have raised after the earthquake'
Lamia Abbas compared their lives before and after learning the
philosophy of Abdullah Ocalan. <As women, we used to be oppressed due to
traditions, customs and the patriarchal mindset. We were deprived of our
rights and confined to home. Thanks to the philosophy and ideology of
Abdullah Ocalan, we broke the chains of slavery and stood against
injustice.> Expressing their rising concerns about Abdullah Ocalan since
the December 4 earthquake, she called on the Turkish state to release a
statement about the situation of Abdullah Ocalan.
'The policies of the Turkish state are the continuation of the
conspiracy'
Hamida Omar thinks that the Turkish state has imposed an isolation on
Abdullah Ocalan to blackmail the Kurdish people. <The Turkish state aims
to break the strong will of the Kurdish people by implementing such
policies. The Turkish state does not allow leader Ocalan to see his
lawyers and family members. The isolation imposed on him is a right
violation and inhuman practice. The policies of the Turkish state are
the continuation of the international conspiracy. The freedom of leader
Ocalan is the freedom of all people; it is the only way to solve the
crisis suffered by the Middle East.>
'The international community should take an immediate action'
Zainab Hussein believes that the ideology of Abdullah Ocalan defends
women's freedom. <His ideology is a philosophy. We call on the
international community to take immediate action to end the isolation
imposed on leader Ocalan and ensure his physical freedom.>
'His lawyers must be allowed to see him'
Cennet Muhammed also pointed out the positive changes created by
Abdullah Ocalan's philosophy and said, <He gave us the strength to stand
against the authoritarian system. We were deprived of our rights by the
patriarchal mindset. Thanks to the philosophy of leader Ocalan, we
learned more about ourselves and our rights.> Emphasizing that they, as
women, will not remain silent against the isolation imposed on Abdullah
Ocalan, Cennet Muhammed said: <We will not bow to the policies of the
Turkish state. We will struggle until leader Ocalan regains his physical
freedom. Our concerns about him have been raised after the earthquake.
We demand an immediate explanation about our leader and his lawyers
being allowed to see him.> >>
Source incl. 1 video:
https://jinhaagency.com/en/actual/women-of-afrin-shahba-we-will-not-remain-silent-against-the-isolation-34271?page=1
Bombings in Gaza
Jinha - 11 Dec 2023
<<Israel strikes in Gaza continue
News Center- Israel has been attacking Gaza since October 7. The number
of Palestinians killed in attacks has risen to 17,700 while the number
of injured has risen to 48,780. On Sunday, the Israeli army launched
attacks on many parts of the besieged Gaza. The official Palestinian
news agency Wafa reported that Israeli warplanes targeted a house in the
Tell es-Sultan neighborhood of Rafah, a city in the southern Gaza Strip.
Six Palestinians, mostly children, were killed and many more were
injured in the attack. The agency also reported that the Nuseirat
refugee camp, located in the middle of the Gaza Strip, was also targeted
by Israeli warplanes. Five Palestinians, including three children, were
killed when Israeli warplanes targeted a house in the camp. According to
the received reports, many Palestinians were injured in the attacks on
the city of Deir al-Balah.
Airstrikes on refugee camps
Israeli airstrikes also targeted Al-Maghazi refugee camp and Jabalia
refugee camp again. Israeli soldiers conducted raids in the West Bank.
According to the received reports, soldiers searched houses and
interrogated people in Jenin, Bethlehem and Nablus.
Israeli soldiers used tear gas
During the house raids conducted in the city of Al-Bireh, snipers were
placed on the roofs of the houses. During the raids, Israeli soldiers
used tear gas and opened fire and Israeli drones flew over the city.
Hundreds of people were arrested in the house raids.>>
Source:
https://jinhaagency.com/en/actual/israel-strikes-in-gaza-continue-34272?page=1
Jinha - 11 Dec 2023
<<Kurdish Women Journalists' Association: We will be the voice of women
News Center- The Kurdish Women Journalists' Association (Kurdish:
Komeleya Rojnamevanen Jin, ROJIN), held its third conference from
December 2 to December 3 with the motto, <We will illuminate the
darkness with the Jin Jiyan Azadi philosophy>. At the conference, women
journalists discussed many issues such as the attacks of the male-state
system on journalists, women and society, the ways and methods to
prevent gender-
based violence, the women's struggle against the system and the
obstacles faced by journalists. Another issue discussed by women was the
role of women journalists in building an alternative world.
Isolation was discussed
The <Freedom for Abdullah Ocalan, Political Solution to the Kurdish
Question> campaign demanding the lift of the isolation imposed on
Kurdish leader Abdullah Ocalan was one of the agendas of the conference.
Women journalists emphasized that the paradigm of Abdullah Ocalan is
important for the freedom of all women and society against policies that
promote war and chaos.
'Women struggle for freedom'
Women journalists reminded that the 21st century is the century of women
and said, <The ruling powers aim to cause more wars, exploitation,
domination and femicide. They target pioneer women, eliminate social
morality and destroy nature. A patriarchal system is imposed in the
world, in the Middle East and in Kurdistan. Despite everything, women’s
struggle led by Kurdish women spread to protect values such as freedom
and democracy.> At the conference, disinformation, manipulation, special
war policies, exploitation and sexism spread by the media was discussed.
<Women journalists are responsible for raising awareness in society.>
'Women journalists were targeted in Iran and Rojhelat'
Another issue discussed at the conference was the Jin, Jiyan, Azadi
(Women, Life, Freedom) movement in Iran and Rojhelat. <The people
expressed their discomfort against the reactionary government. However,
the Iranian regime targeted women journalists because they reported the
uprising. Women journalists are determined to reveal the truth despite
the attacks,> women journalists said at the conference.>>
Source:
https://jinhaagency.com/en/actual/kurdish-women-journalists-association-we-will-be-the-voice-of-women-34273?page=1
Rima Isa
Jinha - 8 Dec 2023 - by RONIDA HACI
<<Rima Isa: Our struggle will continue until the isolation is broken
Hasakah- On February 15, 1999, Kurdish leader Abdullah Ocalan was
abducted and brought to Turkey due to an international conspiracy
launched against him. He has been held in Imrali prison for 25 years and
not allowed to see his lawyers and family members for 33 months.
'The aim is to isolate the leader from the people'
Rima Isa, Spokesperson of the Kongra Star Coordination in the Hasakah
Canton, expressed their concerns about the situation of Kurdish leader
Abdullah Ocalan, stressing that Abdullah Ocalan has the right to receive
information. <Several days ago, an earthquake struck Bursa and three
cities were affected by the earthquake. Imrali Island is located near
the area struck by the earthquake. Leader Abdullah Ocalan aims to build
a system based on democracy, justice and equality. We owe him. We have
the right to know his health condition. The aim of the Turkish state is
to isolate the leader from the people. The people will keep taking to
the streets as long as isolation is imposed on him.>
'We are ready to make any sacrifice for his freedom'
Condemning the attitude of the international organizations and the
European Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT), Rima Isa said,
<He has been imprisoned because he is a revolutionary and demands
freedom for everyone. We are ready to make any sacrifice for his
freedom. As a women's organization, we will not stop until we break the
isolation imposed on him and receive information about him. We will keep
taking to the streets to break the isolation and demanding information
about his health condition.> Rima Isa called on human rights
organizations and the Kurdish people to do their part for the freedom of
Abdullah Ocalan. <He is now 74 years old and in prison. We also call on
Kurdish women to take to the streets and pressure the authorities in
order to get information about the health condition of Kurdish leader
Abdullah Ocalan.> >>
Source incl. 1 video:
https://jinhaagency.com/en/actual/rima-Isa-our-struggle-will-continue-until-the-isolation-is-broken-34266?page=1
Lamia Lufti and Aya Abdelhamid
Jinha - 8 Dec 2023 - by ASMAA FATHI
<<'Violence against Palestinian women highlighted as part of the global
16-day activism campaign'
Cairo- Israel's attacks on Gaza have entered their 63rd day. Women
organizations all around the world have launched campaigns to collect
aid supplies for women and children in the Gaza Strip and organize
events to make the voices of Gazan women heard. Some Egyptian
organizations and initiatives have collected donations and aid supplies
and delivered them to Palestine in cooperation of the League of
Palestinian Women in Egypt. In addition, they have provided
psychological support to the displaced Palestinian women in Egypt. They
also highlighted violence against Palestinian women at events organized
as part of the global 16-day activism campaign against gender-based
violence.
'The priority issue is violence against Palestinian women'
Lamia Lutfi, program coordinator at the New Woman Foundation (NWF),
talked about the events held by women's organizations in Egypt. <What
has been happing in Palestine is the violation of human rights. Israel
targets houses, hospitals and civilian settlements in its attacks on
Gaza. Thousands have been displaced. Thousands of women have lost their
husbands, children, relatives and houses. Many Egyptian organizations
and initiatives have mobilized to provide psychological support to the
displaced Palestinian women in Egypt. The priority issue of our events
held by Egyptian organizations and initiatives to mark the global 16-day
activism campaign against gender-based violence is violence against
Palestinian women to be in solidarity with Palestinian women.>
'We aim to break the silence of the international community'
Indicating that the New Woman Foundation has also held many activities
to make the voices of Palestinian women heard, Lamia Lutfi said, <Not
only the people of Gaza but also all Palestinians are subjected to
rights violations. All organizations must collaborate because there is a
humanitarian crisis in Palestine.>
'We try to provide direct support'
Aya Abdelhamid, member of the Superwoman initiative in Egypt, also said
that the priority issue of the 16-day activism campaign in Egypt is the
rights violations experienced by Palestinian women. <Many organizations
and initiatives have released statements on the situation of Palestinian
women to make their voices heard.> Speaking about the activities of the
Superwoman Initiative, she said, <In cooperation with several
organizations, the Superwoman Initiative launched a campaign about the
special needs of Palestinian women because they are not less important
than water and food. We collected donations and sent them to Palestine
through international organizations. We also bought eSims and sent them
to Palestine> >>
Source incl. 2 videos:
https://jinhaagency.com/en/actual/violence-against-palestinian-women-highlighted-as-part-of-the-global-16-day-activism-campaign-34267?page=1
Jinha - 7 Dec 2023
<<75 Palestinian journalists, media workers killed since Oct.7
News Center- The Palestinian Journalists' Syndicate released a report on
December 6. Since October 7, 75 Palestinian journalists and media
workers have been killed, 80 more have been injured and two journalists
have gone missing, the report said.
'The houses of 60 journalists have been targeted'
The report emphasized that Israel has committed hundreds of war crimes
and violations in its attacks, killing thousands of civilians and
injuring tens of thousands of civilians. <The houses of 60 journalists
have been targeted and the headquarters of 63 press outlets have been
destroyed by Israeli warplanes.>
'43 journalists have been arrested'
The report also said that the work of 25 local radio stations, 24 in
Gaza and one in the West Bank, have been disrupted by Israel's attacks.
<Three press outlets have been closed down and 43 journalists have been
arrested, including 41 in the West Bank and two in Gaza. 30 of them are
still held in detention, and most of them have been transferred to
administrative detention centers.>
'Israel is responsible for the killing of journalists'
The report said that the Palestinian Journalists' Syndicate would
continue its work to protect journalists and for the prosecution of
Israel. <Israel is responsible for the killing of journalists.> The
report emphasized that Israel deliberately targets journalists to
prevent the facts in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank from being
reported.>>
Source:
https://jinhaagency.com/en/actual/75-palestinian-journalists-media-workers-killed-since-oct-7-34256
Women's Media Center - Dec 7, 2023
<<Foundation Advocates for Afghan Journalists
After the Taliban regained control of Afghanistan in 2021, they
destroyed the idea of a free press in the country. Close to 60% of
journalists all across the country are no longer employed, and
three-fourths of them are women. Fahim Dashty was a veteran reporter who
founded one of the largest newspapers in the country, the Kabul Weekly,
as well as a leader for the Afghanistan National Journalists Union.
Dashty was killed during a clash in the Panjshir province a few months
after the Taliban took over Kabul. His wife, Sayara, and 19-year-old
daughter, Marwa, now reside in Canada, but kept in touch with Dashty's
colleagues. With the hope of upholding Dashty's long-lasting impacts,
they created the Fahim Dashty Foundation (FDF) to provide resources and
refuge to reporters still working in Afghanistan. <Presently, the state
of press freedom in Afghanistan is dire,> Sayara said. <The Taliban's
efforts to control the free press involve not only imposing censorship
but also coercing media outlets to disseminate false information
provided by them.> In September 2021, the Taliban released <11 rules of
journalism,> enabling the government to practice prior review and
restraint on all media publications. Authorities have used these rules
to target hundreds of journalists. <[The Kabul Weekly office] was mine
and my brother's hangout place,> Marwa said. <[Dashty] worked incredibly
hard on that newspaper and poured his everything into that. I think that
we're losing him every day because we saw how much he worked, he
sacrificed - the late hours, everything he built to have some semblance
of free media in Afghanistan. The fact that it's being ripped apart,
piece by piece, every day is a lot, so we decided to open the foundation
to help [Afghan journalists] in any way we can.> Almost all women who
are reporters have had to leave their jobs or flee the country,
according to a study by Reporters Without Borders (RSF). Marwa said the
FDF is looking for funding to provide reporters the aid they need to
seek refuge in other countries. For those who cannot leave or choose not
to, Marwa said another goal of the organization is to archive or publish
their work. <We know bringing freedom of speech in Afghanistan is kind
of impossible at the moment, but what we are going to try to do is save
the journalists left behind because, unfortunately, we see them being
killed, being tortured just for speaking their mind,> Marwa said. <We
know that [refuge] is not possible for all of them. There are thousands,
if not millions, of them out there.> <If we can't bring them out, then
we will try to provide resources and help on the inside so they can
continue their work,> Marwa said. <With the situation back home, you
don't know what's going to happen [in the] next second. You don't know
if you're going to survive, let alone your work. So, we try to help them
out in any way we can.> The persecution and erasure of journalists in
Afghanistan has also been bolstered by the Taliban-s gender-based
violence and targeting. One of the first regressions the Taliban
implemented was to ban women and girls from attending secondary school
and universities. Additionally, Taliban authorities have further cracked
down on every aspect of the reporting process for women, as they are
barred from interviewing male government officials and from
participating in press conferences without a male chaperone. They are
also restricted from traveling for reporting purposes. <Every threat to
a journalist is a direct attack on freedom of information, opinion, and
expression - fundamental rights that belong to all of us,> said U.N.
High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk in a statement on World
Press Freedom Day. <The safety of journalists is not just a question of
personal security; it is a question of the safety and health of entire
societies.> The FDF held its first conference in Toronto, Canada, in
October to give Afghan journalists, Canadian and U.S. government
officials, and other supporters a platform to garner support for the
organization and, more broadly, for restoring press freedoms in
Afghanistan. Panelists included Rina Amiri, U.S. special envoy for
Afghanistan women, girls and human rights, and Lotfullah Najafizada, a
founder and reporter for Amu Television, an independent media outlet
started in 2022 to safely publish work by reporters on the ground in
Afghanistan, including women journalists. <We just wanted to provide a
platform where all of these different people could come together to
share what they know, what they've learned out of their research, and
what they think is the best route to continue work in Afghanistan,>
Marwa said. <We saw how all of [the panelists] wanted the same goal but
don't have communication between them. It was amazing to see that the
organizations and government officials that did care were there. It felt
like I was back in my dad’s office.> Marwa said it was pivotal to see
people had not given up on the idea of a free press in Afghanistan and
wanted to be involved in the FDF. <When someone said this was the first
time a conference like this has happened, I was shocked, to be honest,>
Marwa said. <I feel like the fact that there were 20 years of war in our
country has somehow made people think that this is normal for us, that
it's supposed to be our lives forever, right? There’s much more people
are thinking about right now, but Afghanistan should be one of them.
They are human beings, too. They are individuals with dreams that should
not be forgotten.> As an economic crisis and continuing suppression by
the Taliban regime loom over the country, Marwa stressed the importance
of continuing the conversation to keep people's attention. <[The FDF]
has decided to have a series of conferences from now on where people can
time and time again come together and share what they've learned since
the previous conference,> Marwa said. <The more updated people are, the
better. The more we work together, the better the results are going to
be.> >>
Source:
https://womensmediacenter.com/news-features/foundation-advocates-for-afghan-journalists?emci=01a84bbc-dc95-ee11-8925-002248223f36&emdi=68200944-0696-ee11-8925-002248223f36&ceid=25325450
Dicle Muftuoglu
Jinha - 6 Dec 2023
<<Journalist Dicle Muftuoglu to stand trial tomorrow
News Center- Abdullah Gok, editor at the Mesopotamia Agency (MA), was
released from prison at the second hearing held yesterday. The first
hearing of the trial against journalist Dicle Muftuoglu, Co-chair of the
Dicle Fırat Journalists Association, will be held tomorrow by the
Diyarbakır 5th High Criminal Court. On April 29, 2023, police raided
many houses in 15 cities as part of an investigation launched in Ankara
and detained 19 people, including Dicle Fırat Journalists' Association
Co-chair Dicle Muftuoglu and Mesopotamia Agency (MA) editor Sedat Yılmaz.
On May 3, World Press Freedom Day, they were sent to prison on terrorism
charges.
43-page indictment
A 43-page indictment was prepared against Dicle Muftuoglu by Ankara
Chief Public Prosecutor's Office and presented to the court on September
6. The indictments did not mention the journalist until the final two
pages. In the indictment, Dicle Muftuoglu's travels, financial
transactions, and logs of phone calls with other journalists,
politicians and human rights activists were also cited as evidence.>>
Source:
https://jinhaagency.com/en/actual/journalist-dicle-muftuoglu-to-stand-trial-tomorrow-34253?page=1
Mother Saffet Yaman
Jinha - 6 Dec 2023
<<Saturday Mother Saffet Yaman passes away
News Center- Saffet Yaman, one of the Saturday Mothers, passed away in
the Adapazarı district of Sakarya on December 4, 2023. She was laid to
rest by her relatives and loved ones at Serdivan Cemetery after the
afternoon prayer. Saffet Yaman sought justice for her son Husamettin
Yaman, who disappeared after being detained in Istanbul in 1992.
'One of our mothers passed away before getting justice'
The Saturday Mothers published a statement on their social media account
regarding the death of Saffet Yaman. <One of our mothers passed away
before getting justice. Rest in peace. You never gave up on looking for
your son and we will never give up on looking for Husamettin,> the
statement said. Husamettin Yaman, a student at Istanbul University,
Vocational School of Technical Sciences, disappeared after being taken
into custody on May 4, 1992. In an interview with Taraf newspaper in
2012, Ayhan Çarkın, former member of the Police Special Operation Teams,
said that he killed the students named Ayhan Efeoglu, Husamettin Yaman
and Mehmet Soner Gül in 1992 and that he could show the places where
they were killed. After this interview, the family of Hüsamettin Yaman
filed a criminal complaint against Ayhan Çarkın.>>
Source:
https://jinhaagency.com/en/actual/saturday-mother-saffet-yaman-passes-away-34251
Women's
Liberation Front 2019/cryfreedom.net 2023