18/09/2024 | Writer: Kaos GL
Türkoğlu asked Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş, Minister of Family and Social Services: “How long will your Ministry remain silent about the growing violence against trans women?”
Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) Diyarbakır MP Halide Türkoğlu submitted a written parliamentary question to the Ministry of Family and Social Services regarding the murder of trans woman Sudenaz U. in Diyarbakır.
In her submission to the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM), addressed to Minister Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş, Türkoğlu highlighted the increasing frequency of attacks, hate crimes, and murders targeting individuals of different sexual orientations and gender identities. She noted that public institutions and media outlets are fueling hatred and made the following statement:
“Hate speech and hate crimes, exacerbated by inadequate legal measures, the failure to enforce existing laws, unjust provocation reductions by courts, impunity, and sexist and militarist policies, have escalated to an uncontrollable level in the country.”
“The right to life of LGBTI+ persons is violated”
Emphasizing that LGBTI+ people face violence for resisting discrimination and defending their right to life, DEM Party MP Halide Türkoğlu continued:
“The existence of these people is not acknowledged; they are subjected to bans, pressure, and violence, and their right to life is violated. Activists who attempt to defend their rights are denied even the most basic constitutional freedoms, such as the right to hold press conferences, meetings, and demonstrations. Human rights defenders are often detained or, in some cases, imprisoned.”
Türkoğlu pointed to the recent murder of Sudenaz U. in Diyarbakır as the latest example of violence against LGBTI+ persons. She stated, “On 15 September 2024, in the Kayapınar district of Diyarbakır, two men attacked trans women Sudenaz U. and G. with knives in their home. Sudenaz U. lost her life, while G. was injured. According to reports in the press, the perpetrators, Ali Aküzüm and İlyas Uçak, not only murdered Sudenaz but also looted the home after the attack. The fact that this heinous act occurred on the same day as the ‘Big Family Meeting,’ a rally targeting LGBTI+ persons, raises concerns that this murder was not a mere coincidence but rather part of a larger pattern, heightening fears that trans women’s right to life is increasingly under threat.”
“What specific policies has your Ministry implemented to protect the right to life of trans women?”
MP Halide Türkoğlu posed several questions to the Ministry of Family and Social Services regarding the murder of trans woman Sudenaz U. in Diyarbakır, urging the ministry to address the increasing violence and hate crimes against LGBTI+ individuals. Türkoğlu's written parliamentary inquiry included the following questions:
- Is your Ministry aware of the murder of trans woman Sudenaz U.?
- What is your Ministry’s stance on whether perpetrators like Ali Aküzüm and İlyas Uçak, who murdered Sudenaz, are encouraged by hate-inciting discourses and policies?
- Considering the right to life as the most fundamental human right, what specific policies has your Ministry implemented to protect the right to life of trans women? Does your Ministry acknowledge that the failure to implement protective measures legitimizes and encourages further attacks on trans women?
- How long will your Ministry remain silent about the growing violence against trans women?
- While those defending their right to life and opposing discrimination are not allowed to gather in public spaces, what measures does your Ministry plan to take against hate-inciting events like the “Big Family Meeting”? Will your Ministry continue to remain silent about these initiatives, which may lead to an increase in hate murders?
- How many trans women have been murdered or subjected to violence during your ministry’s tenure? How many perpetrators of such violence have been prosecuted?
- Do you believe that TRT’s broadcasting of public service announcements about the “Big Family Meeting,” which is supposed to maintain impartiality, may contribute to the rise in hate crimes? Will your Ministry take steps to remove these advertisements that incite hate?
What happened?
Two men have been arrested following the attack on two trans women in Diyarbakır’s Kayapınar district on 15 September. The violent assault left one of the victims, S.U., dead, while the other, identified as G., was injured.
After G. received medical treatment, she provided critical information to the police, which led to the detention of the two suspects, A.A. and İ.U. The men were subsequently arrested and charged after making statements to the authorities. G. also reported that the attackers looted the victims’ home during the incident. According to the information received from the Diyarbakır Bar Association LGBTI+ Rights Commission a restriction order has been placed on the case file. The prosecutor’s office is expected to complete the investigation and prepare an indictment soon. In a separate statement shared on social media, the Diyarbakır Bar Association LGBTI+ Rights Commission emphasized: “We will continue our struggle against hate murders,” underscoring their ongoing fight against violence targeting the LGBTI+ community.
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Tags: human rights
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