Prominent European figures have condemned the raids on Kurdish media stations in Brussels and the simultaneous arrests of Kurdish journalists in Turkey, in a sharp rebuke to recent actions by Belgian and Turkish authorities.
The coordinated operations have ignited a fierce debate over the state of press freedoms in Europe and beyond. Press conferences and individual statements from European lawmakers and legal experts have condemned the actions of both European and Turkish authorities.
On 23 April 2024, Belgian police raided Kurdish TV stations Stêrk TV and Medya Haber in Brussels at 1:30 am, causing extensive damage but making no arrests. The raids coincided with Kurdish Journalism Day and followed the commemoration of the first Kurdish newspaper’s suppression 126 years earlier. Simultaneously, seven Kurdish journalists were detained in Turkey. A press conference in Brussels criticised the raids, noting the involvement of external requests in the operations. The European Left Party condemned these actions, emphasising the suppression’s impact on Kurdish media’s role in democratic discourse.
Lawyer Jan Fermon described the police conduct during the raids in Brussels as acts of “vandalism,” criticising the unnecessary force used to gain entry to the Kurdish media stations. “When we visited the television station, we encountered a number of damages which I can definitely say were acts of vandalism,” Fermon stated. He highlighted the disproportionality of the police actions, noting that “the damage to screens and television equipment is clearly unjust and unjustifiable.”
Kati Piri, a Member of the European Parliament, stressed the importance of safeguarding the free press, particularly for minority communities. “Here in this city where I am right now, we have 30,000 Kurdish people. It’s crucial to also have free media for them,” Piri explained, underlining the role of the media in democratic societies.
Another MEP, Nikolaj Villumsen, expressed dismay at the raids, describing them as “absolutely shocking” and indicative of a broader issue of media oppression within Europe that mirrors the political repression seen in Turkey. “The freedom of expression and media freedom needs to be respected all over the world, that also goes for Turkey,” Villumsen urged, calling for a robust response from European institutions.
Belgian journalist Luc De Bos recounted previous similar incidents, noting the recurring nature of such raids and the legal outcomes that often do not favour the state’s actions. “It has happened three times in the past that with a great show of force, Belgian law enforcement have invaded [the studios] and caused all sorts of damage, and three times they have lost the case,” De Bos said, adding that the Belgian state does not recognise the PKK as a terrorist organisation, which underscores the contentious nature of these raids.
Lawyers Johan Vande Lanotte and Fien Schreurs also criticised the raids. Vande Lanotte pointed to external pressures influencing Belgian actions, stating, “From what we know now, a French prosecutor has requested this raid in Belgium, citing the financing of terrorism as the reason.” Schreurs described the raid as an invasion, with significant damage to property and seizure of journalistic materials, announcing that legal proceedings would be initiated immediately.
These statements collectively paint a troubling picture of the state of press freedom and the protection of journalistic activities in Europe, with calls for greater transparency and adherence to legal standards by authorities in Belgium and Turkey.
