At least 13 journalists suffered injuries and two were detained on Saturday in Istanbul as police again used tear gas and water cannons to clear demonstrators from Taksim Square.

News reports from Turkey indicated that the journalists were allegedly beaten by police officers or wounded by rubber bullets, tear gas canisters and pepper spray.

The International Press Institute (IPI)’s Turkish National Committee said it was “very concerned about the continuous attacks by security forces on journalists and calls on the government, instead of targeting journalists during rallies, to help them do their jobs”. It added: “The harassment of journalists is a clear violation of press freedom, which is as essential to democracy as the ballot is.”

IPI Press Freedom Manager Barbara Trionfi commented: “IPI and its affiliate, the South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO), urge Turkish authorities to uphold their responsibility to ensure that journalists carrying out their legitimate role are not targeted for doing so.”

According to the news website Bianet, which quoted a statement by the Journalists’ Union of Turkey (TGS), and according to independent reports, Aydinlik newspaper journalists Beste Gul Oneren and Selcuk Ozcan were taken into custody and remain in detention. Police officers allegedly beat BirGun newspaper journalist Onur Erem and freelance journalist Evrim Kurdoglu, and attacked newspaper columnist Tugce Tatari and Halk TV journalist Makbule Cengiz.

Newspaper journalists Eda Sonmez from Sozcu and Ozcan Yaman from Evrensel were reportedly injured by tear gas canisters, while Yunus Dalgic of Milliyet was said to have been injured when he was pushed in front of an armoured vehicle carrying a water cannon. Those reportedly hit by rubber bullets included Milliyet journalist Arif Balkan, Ulusal Kanal journalist Sengul Derin, Sol newspaper journalist Dilem Tastan, Gercek Gundem newspaper journalist Barıs Yarkadas, Bianet journalist Elif Akgul and IMC TV journalist Gokhan Bicici.

Reuters reported that clashes between police and protestors erupted on Saturday after protestors tried to enter Gezi Park despite a warning by Istanbul’s governor that police would intervene to stop any illegal gathering.

The park has been sealed off since mid-June, when demonstrations erupted across Turkey after authorities used force to evict a group seeking to forestall the park’s demolition under a redevelopment plan. A court decision last month setting aside the redevelopment plan is expected to be appealed.