We Will Stop Femicides Platform September 2023 Report
In September 2023, 32 women were killed by men, and 18 women were found suspiciously dead.
2023 September Report*
32 Femicides and 18 Suspicious Deaths of Women in September
The fight to stop femicides in Turkey has been going on for 13 years. As the Platform, since we identified the need in 2010, we have been disclosing femicide data to the public. Instead of explaining how many women have been killed, why, how and by whom, the Ministry of Interior distorts the facts by saying that the data on femicides are incorrectly prepared. It is the duty of the state not only to disclose the reality of femicides and suspicious deaths of women but also to implement concrete solutions to stop femicides. We will continue to fight for the mobilization of all relevant ministries and mechanisms to fulfil this duty.
12 women were killed on the pretext of wanting to take decisions about their life
This month, 32 femicides were committed, and 18 women were found suspiciously dead. 12 women were killed on the pretext of wanting to take decisions about their own life, such as wanting a divorce, refusing to reconcile, refusing to marry, or rejecting a relationship, 1 woman was killed on economic pretexts and 3 women were killed because they were with the woman who was being targeted. The reason behind 16 femicides could not be determined. The inability to determine the excuse behind the murder of 16 women is the result of violence against women and femicides being rendered invisible. Unless it is determined by whom and why women were killed, unless a fair trial is conducted and the suspects, defendants and murderers are given deterrent punishments and unless preventive measures are implemented, violence continues to increase in size.
We would like to share the names of the women, each of whom was a life:
Femicide data in the month of September, by city:
By whom were the women killed?
Of the 32 women killed in September, 14 were killed by the man they were married to, 6 by the man they were with, 2 by the man they used to be married to, 1 by an acquaintance, 2 by the man they used to be with, 3 by a relative, 1 by her brother and 2 by their son. The relation of the perpetrator could not be determined for one woman. This month, 43% of the women who were killed were killed by the man they were married to.
Women were mostly killed in their homes
19 of the women were killed at their homes, 12 in the middle of the street and 1 in a public place. 59% of the women killed this month were killed in their homes.
Women were mostly killed with firearms
19 of the women killed this month were killed with firearms and 13 with sharp objects. 59% of the women killed this month were killed with firearms.
OUR DECISION, WE WILL STOP THE FEMICIDES!
The closure case against our We Will Stop Femicide Platform was dismissed. We would like to thank everyone who stood by us during this period for their organized struggle. There are efforts to weaken our association and intimidate our friends. Despite all this, we will never give up our rights and fight. Our organized struggle will destroy all the obstacles created against women. Patriarchy cannot stand against our love and determination for our struggle! With our decision, We Will Stop Femicides!
Those trying to shut down our association, which we set out to stop femicides, are releasing the perpetrators of the murders. A perpetrator who murdered a woman 15 years ago was released after seven years of imprisonment. After he was released, he killed Özlem Küçükyılmaz, to whom he was married, and her mother Nezife Çetingök. This month, Neşet Güneş, who was released on leave from an open prison where he was convicted of ‘attempted intentional homicide’, killed Damla Dakım. Again, this month, the perpetrator Mehmet Dinç, who was imprisoned for stabbing Fatoş Çetin, was released after four months and stabbed Fatoş Çetin to death. In the 67 femicides that took place in the first nine months of 2023, 10 of the perpetrators had a criminal record, 7 were ex-convicts, 1 was a fugitive, and 1 was on leave from prison. The policy of impunity in crimes against women, the intimidation policies against the women’s movement, and the targeting of laws protecting women encourage the perpetrators.
THE STATE IS COMMITTING HATE CRIMES!
Hate rallies against LGBTIQ+ individuals in Istanbul are continuing. A public service announcement approved by RTÜK (Radio and Television Supreme Council) containing LGBTIQ+ hatred was broadcasted on television. State institutions are targeting LGBTIQ+ citizens and threatening their right to life. The political authorities are spreading hate. The directive sent by the Ministry of Family and Social Services to all provincial directorates to organize a ‘Family Workshop’ was also based on hatred. These workshops had a focus on anti-LGBTIQ+ legal regulations and women’s rights, which have been on the agenda of political power for a long time. These show how vital our politically organized struggle is. We will continue to fight against hate crimes and for our rights and freedoms!
Despite all the practices that seek to sanctify the family, women and children continue to struggle to survive. In eleven of the femicides in September, family members or relatives were killed or injured alongside the women. This month, 3 perpetrators committed 2 femicides at the same time. In 2 femicides, 2 men from the woman’s family were killed. In 4 femicides, 6 family members or relatives were injured. Instead of sanctifying the family, women and children should be empowered. What matters is people’s right to life!
Case Developments in September
Mustafa Bulut had killed Server Bulut, a mother of two children living in Isparta. Although aggravated life imprisonment on the charge of “intentional murder against a woman, spouse” was requested, the defendant was sentenced to 16 years and 8 months in prison with an ‘unjust provocation’ discount.
In the case of H. K. G., who was forcefully married off at the age of six, 7 defendants appeared before the judge related to the fake ‘bone age determination’ report obtained to make her look older. Mehmet Emin Marankoz, the only detained defendant in the case, was released at the hearing.
Mustafa Neşeli had threatened national volleyball player Hande Baladın on social media with “throwing acid in her face” and “shooting at her car”. At the first hearing of the case, where up to 8 years of imprisonment was requested, the defendant was released.
In the trial of Burhan Dursun, who had stabbed Tuğba Dursun 7 times in Adana in 2021, the defendant was sentenced to aggravated life imprisonment without reduction.
Suspicious deaths of women should be revealed immediately
As we have been stating in our reports for a while, there is a very serious increase in the number of suspicious deaths of women presented as suicides or natural deaths and in the number of women who were found suspiciously dead during the pandemic. Unfortunately, shedding light on the suspicious deaths of women can be even more difficult than femicides. It is necessary to reveal whether women were killed, whether they were killed by accident, whether women were killed on the basis of gender (whether it was femicide), whether they committed suicide or whether they were driven to suicide. Of the 18 suspicious deaths of women in September, 12 occurred at home or work. Three of these deaths occurred as a result of falling from a height, like a balcony or window. In only one of the suspicious deaths caused by falling from a height, the suspect was arrested, while in the other two, no information about the incident or the crime scene has been released.
In Hatay, Nazlı K., mother of two, died after falling from the balcony of her home. U. K., the man Nazlı was married to, was detained.
In Kırklareli, 25-year-old Özlem Yürük was found dead in the home of İsmail Arı, the man she was with. The suspect, who had drugs in his house, was detained.
In Antalya, 38-year-old Maia Tarkanova, mother of six and nine months pregnant, was found dead in her home.
In Istanbul, Kübra Nur Avcı died after falling from the 11th floor of the plaza where she worked as a trainee lawyer.
In Samsun, 39-year-old Zhala Baghırova was found dead with a gunshot wound in the house where she was staying with police officer Cavit Geçer. The suspect was arrested.
What happened regarding women in September?
Women agricultural workers, who were dismissed without compensation from Agrobay Greenhouse on the grounds of ‘unproductive work’, have been protesting in front of the greenhouse for 35 days. The workers also continue their previous struggle after they were dismissed for becoming members of the Tarım-Sen Union.
In the case of H. K. G., who was subjected to abuse, 7 defendants, 3 of whom were doctors, appeared before the judge related to the ‘fake bone age determination’ report obtained to increase her age. Mehmet Emin Marankoz, the only detained defendant in the case, was released at the hearing.
Mexico’s National Supreme Court of Justice announced that it has decriminalized abortion nationwide. Arturo Zaldívar, president of the Supreme Court, said: “In cases of rape, no girl can be forced to become a mother, neither by the state nor by her parents or guardians”.
On the first anniversary of the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, who died in Tehran while being detained by the morality police for wearing her headscarf ‘inappropriately’, the Iranian government announced the preparation of a new law that would impose harsher fines on women who do not comply with the mandatory headscarf rules.
According to the Business and the Law 2023 report published by the World Bank, only 14 countries in the world offer full legal protection to women. Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Latvia, Luxembourg, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Germany and the Netherlands were noted as countries that offer equal rights to men and women, at least in legal terms.
The stories of the life struggles of the 32 women killed in September
In Manisa, 47-year-old Meliha Uludağ and her 20-year-old daughter Cansu Dönmez were shot dead by Veysel Mızrak, the man Meliha used to be with. The perpetrator later committed suicide with the same gun.
In Konya, 26-year-old Zeliha Akbulut was stabbed and then shot to death in front of her three children by 33-year-old Hüseyin Akbulut, the man she was married to. It was learned that the perpetrator had a criminal record for drug dealing.
In Karabük, Özlem Küçükyılmaz and her mother Nazife Çetingök were shot to death with a shotgun in the middle of the street by Hasan Küçükyılmaz, the man Özlem was married to, on the pretext of jealousy. It was reported that a week before her murder, Özlem Küçükyılmaz had called the police through the KADES application to file a complaint because she was subjected to violence by the perpetrator, but later withdrew her complaint. It was learned that the perpetrator, who committed suicide after the murder, had also killed Nimet Küçükyılmaz, whom he was married to in 2008.
In Istanbul, 59-year-old Rebia Gül Arı was stabbed to death in the throat 20 times by 64-year-old Can C., her brother. The perpetrator then attempted suicide by jumping from the 3rd floor of his house.
In Kahramanmaraş, 41-year-old Fatma Yenigül was shot dead with a shotgun by İsmail Yenigül, the man she was married to.
In Ankara, 40-year-old Emine Yüksel and her sister 37-year-old Çiğdem Demir were shot dead by Hüseyin Yüksel, the man Emine was married to. It was learned that Emine Yüksel had gotten a restraining order against the perpetrator a while ago and was in the process of divorce.
In Ağrı, 24-year-old Birsel Tunç was shot dead by Metin Tunç, the man she was married to. It was learned that the perpetrator went to the house of Birsel, who had been living with her family for a while, and killed Birsel’s brother Fecri Tunç.
In Istanbul, Yeliz Keleş, mother of three, was shot dead in front of her children by İslam Keleş, the man she was married to. It was learned that the perpetrator had killed his uncle shortly before killing Yeliz.
In Afyon, 83-year-old Sıddıka Aysay died after being stabbed 32 times by Gazi Aysay, the man she was married to.
In Kayseri, 18-year-old Edanur Çoban was shot dead by Gökhan Ç., the man she was with, on the pretext that she wanted to break up.
In İzmir, 35-year-old Ezgi Gülizar was shot dead by E. S., the man she used to be married to, in the garden of the district health directorate.
In Konya, 25-year-old Damla Dakım died after being stabbed 47 times by Neşet Gürteş, the man she was with. It was learned that the perpetrator was on leave from an open prison, where he was convicted of ‘attempted intentional murder’.
In Bursa, 45-year-old Safiye Vardar was stabbed to death by 24-year-old Yiğit Balaban, her nephew. It was learned that the perpetrator killed his aunt Safiye and heavily injured his grandmother Sabriye Balaban after they refused to give him money.
In Bursa, Nurgül Demir was shot dead by Tuncay Şener, the man she was with, on the pretext of jealousy. The perpetrator committed suicide with the same gun.
In Diyarbakır, Ayşe Altan, mother of four, was shot dead with a shotgun by Abdulhamit Altan, the man she was married to.
In Kocaeli, 40-year-old Gülseren Gökdemir, mother of two, was stabbed in the throat in the middle of the street by Cemalettin Gökdemir, the man she was in the process of divorce.
In Istanbul, 50-year-old Peri Dağlar was stabbed to death by Ramazan Dağlar, the man she was married to.
In Istanbul, 25-year-old Fatoş Çetin was stabbed to death in the throat and various parts of her body by Mehmet Dinç, the man she was with. It was learned that the perpetrator had stabbed Fatoş Çetin 3 months ago and had been released from prison.
In Antalya, 42-year-old Nadire Güzelçolak, mother of two, was shot dead with a firearm by İbrahim Güzelçolak, the man she was married to, on the pretext of jealousy.
In İzmir, 78-year-old Zeliha Ö. was shot dead with a shotgun by 92-year-old İsmail Ö, the man she was married to, on the pretext of cursing at the perpetrator.
In Istanbul, cancer survivor Fatma Özer was shot dead with a firearm by Müslüm Özer, the man she was married to.
In Düzce, 46-year-old Borna Adilova was stabbed to death in the throat by A. G., the man she was living with.
In Şanlıurfa, Hatice Abdullah was stabbed to death in the middle of the street by M. C., the man with whom she was in unofficial religious matrimony. The perpetrator was arrested.
In Çorum, 44-year-old Zehra Gümüş was stabbed to death by Arif Ergin, the man she used to be married to. The perpetrator was arrested.
In Konya, 49-year-old Ayfer Akbay Şahin was shot dead with a firearm by Yusuf Furkan H., her son. The perpetrator was arrested.
In Gaziantep, 35-year-old Medine Yavuz was shot dead with a firearm by Ali Yavuz, the man she was in the process of divorce. The perpetrator also wounded three of her children and a neighbour. The perpetrator committed suicide after the incident.
In Mersin, 48-year-old Cemile Güllü was stabbed to death by M. Güllü, her son. The perpetrator was taken into custody.
In Erzurum, 32-year-old Anastasia Emelianova died of blood loss after her leg was cut with a glass by Nizar A., the man she was with. The perpetrator was arrested.
In Kırklareli, 43-year-old S. G. was stabbed to death by M. B., a man who came to her house. The perpetrator was caught.
*Our Report: Every month, the news on violence against women in the press includes cases, new incidents and details about the women's movement. We compile the news reflected in the press and the applications that come directly to us, reach a number and prepare our report within this framework. We analyze, compile and evaluate our Femicide Report according to the concept of femicide. In other words, the conceptualization of femicide is; “the killing or forcing into suicide of the female gender, from embryo to fetus, from infant to child, from adult to elderly, by a man, simply because of their gender or on the pretext of their actions contrary to the gender stereotypes and the perception of gender identity. Femicides should not be perceived sorely as murders in which people of the female gender are killed. In these murders committed with hatred, what is attacked is the female identity itself”