The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) have called for the release of 20 Syrian-Kurdish journalists and media workers who were detained by the Turkish military.
The journalists were forced to leave the town of Kobani in northern Syria after fighting intensified between Kurdish forces protecting the city and Isis forces.
They were among 265 Kurds who crossed the border on 6 October to seek refuge in Turkey where they were taken into custody by Turkish authorities.
The journalists are reportedly on a collective hunger strike to protest against their poor treatment by the Turkish forces.
In a statement issued on 9 October, the Journalists Union of Turkey (TGS) called on Turkish authorities to free their detained colleagues.
"We join our affiliate, the TGS to demand that these journalists, and all the other Kurdish citizens, currently being detained in Turkey, be released immediately," said IFJ's president, Jim Boumelha.
"They sought refuge in Turkey after fleeing the dangerous situation in Kobane, but instead of being welcomed they have been treated like criminals. They have committed no crime and we demand that Turkish authorities treat them with respect."
Source: IFJ
