On Press Freedom Day, HRS unveiled a Justice Wall at The Guardian, honoring imprisoned journalists and demanding global press freedom. On May 3rd, World Press Freedom Day, Human Rights Solidarity (HRS) carried out a powerful and meaningful demonstration in London to draw attention to press freedom and show support for imprisoned journalists. In front of the headquarters of the renowned newspaper The Guardian, we installed a five-meter-long Justice Wall, displaying posters of 11 journalists representing the nearly 400 journalists currently imprisoned worldwide.

The event attracted strong interest from journalists and human rights defenders. Reporters and editors from The Guardian wrote supportive messages on the wall. One of the newspaper’s writers and editors, Simon Hattenstone, expressed his appreciation for the demonstration taking place in front of his workplace. “This is a valuable initiative. Defending press freedom and speaking out for imprisoned or killed journalists is extremely important. Without a free press, a free world is impossible,” he said. He added that while journalism in the UK is relatively easy, it is far more difficult in countries like Turkey, Eritrea, and others. “I deeply respect your efforts to shed light on the horrific conditions in the countries represented here today,” he added.

Among the participants was Tarık Toros, a journalist living in exile from Turkey. Journalists from Eritrea, including Marymagdalene Asefaw of Desta TV, Amanuel Eyasu of Asena TV, and Tesfalem Araia from BBC Tigrinya Service, also attended and covered the event.

The demonstration received written support from prominent organizations, including the International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI), the Sweden-based Edelstam Foundation, the Canada-based Raoul Wallenberg Centre for Human Rights (RWCHR), and the Eritrea Focus research center.

Among the displayed posters were journalists such as Mehmet Baransu, Ali Ünal, and Serdar Altan, who have been imprisoned in Turkey for years. One of the most striking figures featured was Dawit Isaak, a 61-year-old journalist, author, and playwright, who has been detained in Eritrea for 24 years without charge. A Swedish citizen, Isaak is considered one of the longest-imprisoned journalists in the world. His poster drew particular attention from Eritrean journalists.

Throughout the event, participants emphasized that press freedom is not just a media issue, but a fundamental human right. Tarık Toros stated, “When journalists are silenced, the truth is silenced. Press freedom is not up for debate.” Holding the posters of Dawit Isaak and Ali Ünal, Amanuel Eyasu highlighted that both were imprisoned simply for doing their jobs. “Repressive regimes are not the only ones responsible for these injustices — our silence plays a role too. These journalists work to be the voice of the voiceless, yet we remain quiet. It’s time to rise and act as an international community,” he said.

Speaking on behalf of HRS, lawyer Burak Batuhan emphasized that press freedom is under unprecedented threat. Citing Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) data showing 361 journalists currently imprisoned worldwide, he said: “We are honoring those who risk everything to expose corruption, human rights violations, and global crises. By displaying the posters of journalists like Dawit Isaak and Ali Ünal, we aim to amplify their voices with our five-meter-long Justice Wall. Their courage must never be forgotten.”

Batuhan also noted the increasing algorithmic suppression on social media and stated that press freedom is not only a right, but the lifeblood of democracy. He added, “Governments must enact laws and policies to ensure the safety of journalists. Tech companies should develop algorithms that prioritize reliable journalism over disinformation. We call on global media, civil society, politicians, and individuals: Join us. Raise your voice against censorship and injustice. Advocate for the release of imprisoned journalists.”

Throughout the day, supporters left written messages on the wall and shared powerful posts on social media. On this important occasion, we aimed to raise public awareness and send a strong message on behalf of silenced journalists.

We will continue to stand up for press freedom and give space to voices that have been silenced.

Human Rights Solidarity is deeply concerned about the mass arrests of people with alleged relations to imprisoned members or imputed members of the Gulen Movement. The victims of this latest campaign of arrests are reportedly unemployed and impoverished relatives of already imprisoned people who have accepted humanitarian aid from third parties in times of difficulty.

Supporting relatives of inmates serving their terms is a virtue. However, forcing relatives of inmates to hunger and misery is the actual crime. This is kin punishment.

In a press release today, Turkish Interior Minister Mr Suleyman Soylu stated that the Turkish police launched a mass arrest campaign against people who are accused of financially helping relatives of prisoners affiliated with the Gulen Movement and the recipients of such help. According to the statement, police raided houses in 59 different cities, searching for 704 people, 543 of whom are already detained.

Human Rights Solidarity is concerned that;

• In the run-up towards an early election in the country, these operations will be intensified and used to create a sense of security threat to crystalise public support around President Erdogan,
• Such mass campaigns are organised in response to international criticism about Turkey’s application of its vague anti-terrorism laws to silence dissent. Turkey was recently criticised in the Council of Europe’s Monitoring Committee Report prepared by British parliamentarian John Howell and his Latvian colleague Boriss Cilevics. In his talk of support at the Parliamentary Assembly, British Parliamentarian Sir Edwar Leigh had labelled Turkey’s proscription of the Gulen Movement as a terrorist organisation as a “ridiculous” act unsupported by any Western intelligence organisation.
• Such mass arrests give credence to the 2020 observation of the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention that the mass arrests of the alleged Gulenists “may establish a pattern amounting to crimes against humanity.”

Human Rights Solidarity, we invite all concerned individuals and organisations to raise their voices against these arrests.

The frontier for the fight against human rights violations anywhere is everywhere.