Canadian Journalist Neil Hauer Denied Entry to Turkey, Links Ban to Nagorno-Karabakh Reporting; Did Azerbaijan Influence It?

Canadian journalist Neil Hauer, based in Yerevan, Armenia, was barred from entering Turkey on November 23, 2024, after arriving at Istanbul’s Sabiha Gökçen Airport. Sharing his experience on social media, Hauer revealed that he was detained for 16 hours before being deported.

Hauer, who had traveled to Turkey’s southeastern province of Mardin on a tourist visa, recounted being stopped at passport control. “I was taken aside, informed ‘you are on the blacklist,’ detained for 16 hours, and deported back,” he wrote. He also shared a document from Turkish authorities, confirming that he was banned from entering the country.

The journalist expressed confusion over the decision, noting that he had visited Turkey multiple times in the past, including as recently as the summer of 2022, without any issues.

Hauer speculated that his work as a journalist might be the underlying reason for the ban. However, he stated that his reporting seldom focuses on Turkey or its sensitive issues, such as Kurdish politics or Gulenist movements, which have previously led to tensions with foreign journalists.

Instead, Hauer pointed to his coverage of Azerbaijan and its role in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict as a possible factor. The region came under Azerbaijani invasion following a 44-day war in 2020. Hauer has reported on allegations of human rights violations by Azerbaijan’s government, led by President Ilham Aliyev.

“Considering this, I strongly suspect this ban has been made at Azerbaijan's request, or at least involvement. I have reported extensively on Azerbaijan's activities in Nagorno-Karabakh and the ethnic cleansing carried out by the Aliyev regime, which has won me no friends there,” he stated, highlighting the close ties between Turkey and Azerbaijan as a potential link.

Describing the ban as “groundless,” Hauer vowed to challenge the decision. He is working with the Canadian embassy and exploring other legal and diplomatic options. “I will be exploring all avenues for this and welcome any support or suggestions that anyone has to offer,” he wrote. Despite the setback, he emphasized his commitment to journalistic integrity, refusing to let the incident hinder his work.

The incident has raised concerns about press freedom and the treatment of foreign journalists in Turkey. The country has faced criticism in the past for restricting media access, particularly regarding issues deemed sensitive by its government.

While Turkish authorities have not released an official statement about the incident, Hauer’s deportation adds to ongoing discussions about the challenges faced by journalists operating in or reporting on Turkey and its regional allies.