19/04/2025
In solidariteit met de studenten en docenten Fotografie op KASK en op vraag van de advocaten van Esila Ayik in Turkije, dit steunbericht voor onze fotografiestudente. Graag zoveel mogelijk verspreiden!
Veel moed voor haar dierbaren, we hopen dat ze snel vrijkomt.
"We, the students and lecturers of KASK School of Arts, Bachelor’s program in Visual Arts - Photography, strongly condemn the recent detention of our fellow student, Esila Ayik, in Turkey.
Esila was peacefully participating in a demonstration following the arrest of Istanbul's mayor, Ekrem Imamoğlu. She was simply observing, taking photographs, and exercising her right to peaceful protest. Her detention in Bakirköy prison for female prisoners, reportedly on charges of “insult to the president,” is deeply concerning and appears to be an unjust restriction of her fundamental rights.
Moreover, Esila suffers from heart and kidney conditions that require ongoing medication. Her access to necessary medical treatment has been severely limited, constituting a violation of her human rights and endangering her health.
We call on the relevant authorities to:
Immediately and unconditionally release Esila Ayik.
Ensure she receives the required medical treatment without delay.
Respect her rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.
As members of the KASK community, we stand in solidarity with Esila and her family. Her detention not only threatens her health and educational future but also undermines the principles of human rights and democracy.
We urge your urgent attention to this matter and appeal for her swift release so she can continue her studies, prepare for her exams and jury, and live without fear."
