The opening film of the 19th International Workers’ Film Festival’s Ankara program, the documentary “Kanun Hükmü” was banned by the Çankaya District Governorate one hour before its screening (May 2). The following day (May 3), Kadıköy and Beyoğlu district governorships in Istanbul banned the screening of the documentary as part of the festival.
Director Nejla Demirci’s documentary about the struggle of Yasemin Demirci, a doctor, and Engin Karataş, a teacher, who were dismissed from public service with the Decree Law (KHK), was censored on the grounds of “Law No. 2911 on Meetings and Demonstrations”.
The Workers’ Film Festival team condemned the ban with a statement. “As a festival positioned against censorship, we condemn this unlawful banning decision and reiterate our solidarity with director Nejla Demirci,” the statement read.
