Rohat Aktaş

Rohat Aktaş (ca. 1997 – February 24, 2016) a Turkish-Kurdish journalist and news editor for Azadiya Welat in the southeastern Turkish town Cizre, Şırnak Province, Turkey, was shot on January 22, disappeared on January 30, 2016, and discovered later dead. At the time, he was reporting about the armed confrontation between Kurdish separatists and Turkish forces, which is part of the Kurdish–Turkish conflict (1978–present).

Personal Rohat's mother spoke with JINHA and gave an insight to Rohat's life and character. Rohat was born in Istanbul in 1997. When Rohat was three years old, the 1999 İzmit earthquake destroyed his home forcing his family to move back to their hometown, Suruç. In 2006, the Azadiya Welat began daily publication, and Rohat met with Kurdish free press and began to distribute their papers. Years later he became chief and editor for the newspaper. His mother told interviewers that he did not like cruelty or oppression of different groups, it did not seem moral and scared him.

Career Aktaş was working as a news editor for the Azadiya Welat in the southeastern Turkish town, Cizre. Aktaş was covering the protests, riots and military conflict in Cizre, it was one of the several areas where security forces were very heavily present. The Azadiya Welat newsroom was in contact with Aktas but lost communication with him. On February 4, the newsroom had been without communication from Rohat Aktas for five days. They reported the last conversation they had with Rohat he told them "The state wants to execute us"

After the shooting occurred, some changes started showing up on Rohat Aktaş's Twitter account. His profile picture showed him sitting down with a rifle over his shoulder and chest. Aktaş's agency reported that he was not a fighter and was on an assignment to cover the fights in Cizre. Other allegations of Aktas being a fighter have surfaced, but none have been proven to be true. The newspaper Rohat was working for, "Azadiya Wela" has confirmed that he was in Cizre to cover the clashes for a story. Since his death, Rohat Aktaş's Twitter account has been suspended.

Impact The violent outbreaks and treatment of citizens have sparked investigations revolving around the Human Rights in Turkey. At the time of his wound, Rohat Aktas was reporting about the confrontation between Kurdish separatists and Turkish forces in Cizre. Another unnamed journalist was also injured in the same events that led to Aktas's death.

Reactions Irina Bokova, director-general of UNESCO, said, "I condemn the killing of Rohat Aktaş. It is essential for freedom of expression and freedom of information that journalists be able to carry out their work without fear of death or violence."

A statement from PEN International stated: "Rohat Aktaş died while trying to tell the world about the plight of wounded civilians with little or no access to medical care in Cizre. Freedom of expression plays an invaluable role, particularly in times of conflict, to allow us to understand what is happening. We call on the Turkish authorities to conduct a swift, transparent and thorough investigation into the death of Rohat Aktaş and urge the government in Ankara to look for a peaceful and diplomatic solution to the conflict in southeast Turkey."

Press Emblem Campaign was very worried about the deterioration of the freedom of the press in Turkey. Turkey was called upon to reverse its decision to seize the Zaman daily. A full and swift investigation was needed into the murder of Rohat Aktas, the editor and journalist of a Kurdish-language daily. The event of Aktas's death has called into question the Human Rights in Turkey.

International Association of Democratic Lawyers have coordinated with Centre Europe question the Human Rights council concerning the conditions of human rights in Turkey. Journalist have been detained on false charges of terrorism, peaceful protests were the police responded with tear gas, and the wounded were denied medical treatment. Human rights are constantly ignored and disrespected in Turkey and political groups are starting to take action.