Skip to content
  • Common Currency
  • Campaigns
    • PENWrites
    • Writers at Risk
    • Writers in Residence
    • Free speech in the UK
  • News
  • Events
  • Translation
    • PEN Translates
    • PEN Transmissions
    • International Translation Day
    • The World Bookshelf
      • Books
      • Authors
      • Translators
    • PEN Presents
      • Issues
      • Books
      • Apply to PEN Presents
  • Prizes
    • PEN Pinter Prize
    • PEN Ackerley Prize
    • PEN Hessell-Tiltman Prize
  • Donate
  • Join
Home > Campaigns > Buse Söğütlü

Buse Söğütlü

Buse Söğütlü started her journalism career on the web platform of one of Turkey’s most established newspapers, Cumhuriyet. After working there as an intern for three months, she began working for a new publication, Yolculuk Newspaper, where she works as a reporter, editor, and programme producer.

As a reporter, Buse Söğütlü covers major criminal court cases, mostly targeting political opposition groups in Turkey, often writing about unlawful practices during the trials she attends. She was herself tried on the charge of “targeting people who took part in the fight against terrorism” following a social media post criticising Akın Gürlek, the President of the Istanbul 37th High Criminal Court, and the judge on a case concerning several lawyers accused of being members of DHKP-C (the Revolutionary People’s Liberation Party/Front). During her trial, Buse’s passport was confiscated and she was prevented from leaving the country. An expert opinion piece prepared by ARTICLE 19 on her case is available here.

Söğütlü also covers any public protest actions taking place in Turkey, despite the risks of physical and judicial attack, and records harsh police interventions during these actions. While fulfilling her journalistic responsibilities she has been detained on numerous occasions, most recently when covering the news of a protest march to Taksim Square (historically known as May Day Square) in May 2022. A brief summary of Söğütlü’s experiences during this protest is available here.

For the past four years, Buse Söğütlü has also regularly produced and presented a live broadcast called Sınıfsal Bakış (‘Class Perspective’) during which she discusses prominent political topics in Turkey and around the world with experts such as Sayat Tekir, Co-Founder of Nor Zartonk, an NGO founded by Armenians in Turkey; Fidan Ataselim, Secretary General of Kadın Cinayetlerini Durduracağız Platformu (We Will Stop Femicide Platform); Hazal Yalın, a journalist-writer; and Gökhun Göçmen, a journalist from CRI Turkey Service.

Buse Söğütlü studied Political Science and International Relations at Istanbul University. She is currently continuing her master’s degree in Media and Communication Studies at Galatasaray University.

Söğütlü arrived in London in October 2022 to take part in English PEN’s residency programme for international writers.

During her residency, Söğütlü has been attending English language fluency classes. She has been following an event called ‘PRALER’ at SOAS which reflects on critical views of education of immigrant groups in London. She has been thinking about how to convey the views of different political groups in London on issues that concern the UK and the world.  She has also had the opportunity to get to know different cultures in the UK through trips to Cardiff, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Belfast. Söğütlü has also attended a number of English PEN events, including ‘An Evening for Salman Rushdie’, and the 2022 PEN Pinter Prize, both at the British Library.

Buse Söğütlü said:

“As a journalist in London, one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the world, meeting people from all over the world is a stimulating professional experience. Here in London, in an atmosphere where I feel relaxed, calm and supported, both focusing on my own work and learning new things will profoundly affect the years ahead in my career. In addition, I have the opportunity to get to know the culture of the country I am in, not only in London, but also in the UK during my trips with the support of English PEN.”

Join our mailing list

Sign up to receive the latest English PEN news and events.

SIGN UP
  • About
  • Privacy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Partners
  • Outreach
  • Jobs
  • Contact us

With thanks to our Core Funders

©1921 - 2023

English PEN is a company limited by guarantee number 5747142 (England & Wales) and a registered charity, number 1125610.

We use cookies to help us improve your experience on our website. By closing this notification or interacting with the website you agree to our use of cookies. ACCEPT Find out more
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT