Journalist and activist Sevgül Uludağ passes away at 67

Turkish Cypriot journalist, activist, and author Sevgül Uludağ died on Sunday at Nicosia General Hospital following a battle with cancer at the age of 67, though some reports indicate she was 68. Born in Nicosia in 1958, she began her journalistic career in 1980 and served as a columnist for Yeni Düzen while also contributing to the Greek Cypriot newspaper Politis. Uludağ was widely recognized for her investigative work regarding missing persons on both sides of the island, which helped facilitate the discovery of several mass graves. Her efforts earned her numerous accolades, including the 2008 International Women’s Media Foundation’s Courage in Journalism Award and the 2014 European Citizen’s Prize. In 2019, she was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize by Professor Anna Agathangelou for her advocacy in reconciliation and human rights. Tributes were led by President Nikos Christodoulides, who praised her dedication to peaceful coexistence and humanitarian truth. Throughout her career, she faced threats from extremists while advocating for women’s rights and the reunification of Cyprus. She is remembered by organizations such as the Union of Cyprus Journalists and the POGO Women’s Movement as a courageous figure who sought to transcend ethnic divisions.