German media’s coverage of Saturday’s Kurdish demonstration in Cologne was criticised as sensationalist and stigmatising by the Confederation of Kurdish Communities in Germany (KON-MED), who demanded fair reporting that respects human rights and truthfully represents the Kurdish cause in a statement issued on Friday.
The confederation voiced strong criticism against the German media’s representation of the Kurdish demonstration, which advocated for the freedom of Abdullah Öcalan, Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) leader.
KON-MED’s rebuke specifically targeted the Cologne Express for what they deemed as a sensationalist headline, which pre-emptively framed the protest in a negative light, suggesting disruptions due to the expected turnout of 15,000 demonstrators for the “leader of a terrorist group”.
KON-MED’s statement decried the media’s penchant for “cheap political sensationalism” at the expense of addressing the dire conditions of Öcalan’s 25-year imprisonment on İmralı Island in Turkey, underlining that his solitary confinement amounts to torture—a fact corroborated by independent legal, scientific and political analyses. The organisation lamented the sidelining of Öcalan’s unlawful isolation and the broader injustices within Turkey, arguing that such coverage serves to criminalise demonstrators and obstruct solidarity.
The critique extended to the broader German media landscape, which KON-MED accused of minimising coverage on Turkey’s human rights abuses and war crimes in Kurdish regions of Syria. The media’s omission of Kurdish peace efforts and their pivotal role in combating the Islamic State (ISIS) is also highlighted, with KON-MED condemning the portrayal of Kurds as societal disruptors and potential threats.
Calling for adherence to the Press Code, KON-MED demanded that German media ensure truthful, dignified and accurate public information, especially in reporting on Kurdish matters. The confederation is seeking balanced coverage that recognises the widespread international support for Öcalan’s release and the human rights context of his detention.
