The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) has called on EU countries to stop rejecting visa applications from Turkish journalists, describing EU countries' rejection of visa applications from Turkey as discrimination.
Emphasizing that there is a systematic obstruction against Turkish journalists in EU member states, noting that the situation of issuing short-term visas to Turkish journalists is worrying, that this situation creates a serious financial burden, and that the visa rejection rates reached a record level in 2023, EFJ pointed out that among the people whose schengen visa applications were rejected are academics and famous artists as well as journalists.
Noting that many Turkish journalists' visa applications have been rejected, EFJ Vice President Mustafa Kuleli said:
"We call on the Schengen countries to end this de facto visa embargo on journalists. This prejudiced and discriminatory attitude prevents journalists from Turkey from effectively fulfilling their professional responsibilities.''
