Exiled journalist Can Dündar pays tribute to slain colleagues
🔴Exiled journalist Can Dündar pays tribute to the bravery of two Kurdish journalists, Nazım Daştan and Cîhan Bilgîn, targeted and killed last week for exposing truths about Turkey’s aggression in Syria.… pic.twitter.com/3e0XCjIdpM
— MedyaNews (@medyanews_) December 23, 2024
A prominent Turkish journalist living in exile has paid tribute to slain reporters Nazım Daştan and Cîhan Bilgîn, hailing their bravery in exposing the truth about Turkish aggression in North and East Syria (Rojava). The journalist Can Dündar, who fled Turkey after uncovering critical state secrets, described their deaths as a deliberate attack on press freedom and a desperate attempt by the regime of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to conceal its bloody expansionist agenda.
Daştan and Bilgîn were killed on 19 December in a targeted drone strike by Turkey while covering developments near Kobani (Kobanê). Dündar noted their unwavering dedication to shedding light on the struggles of the Kurdish-led region, despite the immense risks they faced.
“By killing journalists, Erdoğan seeks not only to silence dissent but to erase the truth of his violent campaign in the Kurdish regions,” he said, stressing that their deaths were part of a larger pattern of repression and control. Both Daştan and Bilgîn were known for their fearless reporting on Kurdish rights and human rights violations in Syria, exposing the human cost of Turkey’s actions.
Dündar, whose earlier work exposed Turkey’s covert weapons shipments to proxies in Syria, spoke passionately about the role of journalism in challenging tyranny. “Nazım and Cîhan represent the best of us—the unyielding commitment to truth, even in the face of grave danger. Their legacy will endure as a symbol of resistance against oppression.”
Erdoğan’s policies in North and East Syria, including the use of drone strikes and proxy forces, aim to dismantle the established Kurdish autonomy and expand Turkey’s influence in the region. The journalist warned that the silence of the international community with regard to these crimes only goes to embolden the expansionist ambitions of the Turkish state.
Daştan and Bilgîn’s deaths are “not just a loss to journalism but to all of humanity”, he said. “We must honour them by continuing their work and holding Erdoğan accountable for his war crimes.”
Recent protests by journalists and media organisations have highlighted the severe repercussions of Turkey’s aggression in Syria and the killing of Daştan and Bilgîn. Demonstrations have erupted across Turkey’s metropolitan cities and Kurdish regions, with journalists and activists condemning Turkey’s targeted attacks and oppressive policies. In response, Turkish authorities have intensified their crackdown on dissent, detaining protesters and censoring critical voices.
Media organisations are calling for international intervention to address violations of press freedom and human rights, stressing the urgent need to hold Turkey accountable for its actions. These developments highlight the escalating risks faced by journalists who challenge Ankara’s narrative.
