2025 April Report* 

29 Femicides and 14 Suspicious Deaths of Women in April 

The fight to stop femicides in Turkey has been going on for 15 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. 

The reason behind 20 femicides could not be determined 

This month, 29 femicides were committed, and 14 women were found suspiciously dead. 7 women were killed on the pretext of wanting to make 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 1 woman was killed on the pretext of threating the police. The reason behind 20 of the 29 femicides could not be determined. The inability to determine the excuse behind the murder of 20 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 April, by city: 

By whom were the women killed? 

Of the 29 women killed in April, 17 were killed by the man they were married to, 2 by the man they were with, 2 by the man they used to be married to, 2 by the man they used to be with, 2 by their son, 2 by an acquaintance, 1 by her father and 1 by the man her daughter used to be with. This month, 59% of the women who were killed were killed by the man they were married to. 

Women were mostly killed in their homes 

15 of the women were killed at their homes, 8 in the middle of the street, 1 in a deserted place, 1 at her workplace, 1 on a waterfront and 1 in a car. It could not be determined where 2 women were killed. 52% of the women killed this month were killed in their homes. 

Women were mostly killed with firearms 

14 of the women killed this month were killed with firearms, 10 with sharp objects, 3 by strangulation, 1 by being burned to death and 1 by being beaten to death. The weapon which was used to kill 1 woman could not be determined. 48% of the women killed this month were killed with firearms. 

WE WILL GIVE CHILDREN A FUTURE WITH OUR STRUGGLE 

In Turkey, family policies are carried out with an understanding that defines women only in terms of fertility and sanctifies children while systematically abusing them. 

Statements such as the Minister of Health's “If you don't have children, you are not a family” and Sivasspor’s “What is normal is normal (vaginal) birth” are becoming widespread. This is a manifestation of the ideological pressure on women’s bodies and life choices. These impositions threaten social equality by excluding women without children, LGBTIQ+ and single-parent families. In demonstrations we organized in Izmir, Istanbul, Ankara and Samsun under the slogan “We Protest Against the Abnormal Regulation”, we were in the streets to protest the regulation of the Ministry of Health aiming to ban planned cesarean births; we raised our voices against this abnormal regulation that restricts women’s birth choices. 

The system that celebrates April 23rd as Children's Day, has no problem making them work as cheap labor in workshops, on the streets and in agricultural fields for the rest of the year. Child labor is still widespread in Turkey; children are forced to work in precarious, unhealthy and dangerous conditions, putting their lives at risk. In Niğde, 14-year-old Abdurrahman Özkul lost his arm to a machine at a recycling plant, in Konya, 14-year-old Yusuf Mısri died at a borehole and in Kayseri, 17-year-old Mehmet Özarslan died at a sand quarry, once again revealing the deadly extent of child labor. 

The sexual abuse of a child in Başakşehir Çam and Sakura Hospital, and the 15-year-old child who had a miscarriage in Karaman reveal the children that the system cannot protect. Although children should be protected, these cases, which are hushed up, show how the culture of abuse has deepened. 

As long as family policies that are population-oriented rather than rights-based continue, we will continue to face deepening violations of children's rights in Turkey instead of progress. 

NEGLIGENCE KILLS, NOT EARTHQUAKES 

In Turkey, the government's earthquake policy is based not on science but on profit, not on human safety but on the construction lobby. While emergency gathering areas are transformed into shopping malls and residences, the people's right to life is being negotiated. 

In the February 6 earthquakes, while millions of citizens were under the rubble, even the most basic right to communication could not be provided; operators collapsed, there was no coordination. In Samandağ, while people are still struggling for shelter and basic needs after the earthquake, their land is being confiscated. 

In the recent earthquake in Marmara, we saw that communication operators have not made any progress and have once again completely collapsed. It is unforgivable that the most basic communication infrastructure is still not working in such a critical geography. While the Marmara earthquake is anticipated, no holistic, public, people-centered preparation has been made for years. 

The urban transformation required for earthquake-resistant cities has been sacrificed to profit-oriented urban transformation. Despite all this, Canal Istanbul is still imposed as a “mega project”; yet there is no planning against mega risks. Earthquakes are not just a natural phenomenon, but a clear consequence of social injustice and political irresponsibility. The right to life can be protected not by luxury housing, but by sound, just and public urban planning. No city is truly safe until this unscientific, detached from the people and profit-oriented system is changed. 

WE LIVE THE WAY WE WANT, YOU CAN'T INTERFERE! 

HÜDA PAR’s law proposal under the name of “indecent behavior” and “exhibitionism” is an attempt to increase control over our bodies and lives. With such vague and arbitrary expressions, the cohabitation of unmarried individuals, clothing, gender identity or sexual orientation are sought to be criminalized. This approach means a return to the discriminatory legacy of the old Turkish Penal Code No. 765, i.e. the morality police of the pre-CEDAW era. Reviving outdated morality laws that were abolished through the feminist struggle is a direct intervention to constitutional equality and private life. 

The lifestyle of women, LGBTIQ+ individuals and unmarried couples is not something to be questioned; what should be questioned is the government’s attempt to exert pressure on these lives. These legislative proposals are aimed at uniformizing social norms with religious references and erasing women and others from the public sphere. The desire to shape society with vague concepts such as honor, chastity and morality is authoritarianism in disguise. A woman's body, clothing, love or home is not, and will never be an area of political control. 

As the We Will Stop Femicides Platform, we know that this struggle is not only a struggle to defend our lifestyles, but also our freedom. 

LONG LIVE FIRST OF MAY, LONG LIVE WOMEN! 

Saying, ‘Equality at home, at work, at wages; democracy for all', we were in the squares on May 1st as the We Will Stop Femicides Platform. Our struggle continues not only on the streets, but also at home, on campuses, workplaces, courthouses, everywhere. 

We were present at the Istanbul Film Festival with our documentary 'Gönüllü'; we brought our voice to the screen. 

We are coming together with women, discussing the political agenda together, and taking our decisions in solidarity. Because we know: we won't leave the right to decide about our own lives to anyone. Our words against bosses, prohibitionists and reactionists are clear: Our labor, our bodies, our lives are ours. 

We won’t let those who want to interfere in our lives and freedoms. We are getting stronger not with oppression, but with art, solidarity and our organized struggle. This is just the beginning... We multiply every day, we fight back everywhere. We stand for life, for rebellion, for freedom, for women! 

INJUSTICE AND LAWLESSNESS CONTINUE 

April 2025 marked a period of politicized law, suppression of local democracy and intimidation of opposition in Turkey. Many citizens who took to the streets, spoke out and showed solidarity against this injustice were detained and some were arrested. During this period, approximately 1,900 people were detained in demonstrations organized all over Turkey. Journalists were among those arrested as well. Today, there are still people under arrest and this situation has turned into a practice of not only political but also social punishment. 

It is no coincidence that the male-dominated government targets figures who represent fundamental values such as the right to the city, secularism and freedom. This process is part of a multi-layered oppression mechanism that seeks to silence the voices of women, LGBTIQ+ and all opposition. As women, we know that the equality policies established by local governments are being threatened with the stick of the judiciary: This is not only a political showdown, but also a intervention on different ways of life. 

Case Developments of April 

The court sentenced Ahmet Fırat, who stabbed Nuran Fırat in the throat in Izmir in 2022, to aggravated life imprisonment without any reduction. 

The file of Gülistan Doku, who disappeared five years ago in Tunceli, was reopened. 

Bahcelievler Municipality Mayor Hakan Bahadır, who insulted CHP Council Member Bahar Günçiçek, was given a one-month injunction under the “Law on the Prevention of Violence against Women”. 

Çetin Aktay, who attacked security guard Gülhan Karaderili at Marmaray station in Kadıköy, causing her to be seriously injured, was sentenced to 18 years and 6 months in prison for ‘attempted murder against a woman’. Aktay was also sentenced to 2 years and 6 months for stalking. 

What happened regarding women in April? 

During the session of Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Assembly, AKP Council Member Erdal Seyitler attacked CHP Group Spokesperson and Council Member Yağmur Yurdakul Özkan by insulting and swearing at him. Yurdakul Ozken announced that she filed a criminal complaint against Seyitler. 

Social media phenomenon Danla Biliç announced that she was beaten by Berk Çetin, the man she used to be with. It was learned that Danla Biliç had previously received a restraining order against the attacker, who was arrested after her statement.  

Those who should reveal murderers are not doing their duty. Sinem Çeşim was stabbed to death by Mehmet Şerif Tanrıkulu, the man she was living with. The perpetrator has still not been caught; justice has not been served for days. 

During demonstrations in Ankara, a woman was dragged on the ground and detained by the police. After the footage of the incident went viral on social media, the Ankara Governorate made a transphobic statement that drew public outrage. 

The demonstration organized by CHP in solidarity with the Palestinian people was suppressed with police violence. While there were allegations of beatings, reverse handcuffing and torture during detention, the police denied all accusations. Despite this, there are still people under arrest; applications regarding torture are ignored. 

Sexual Violence Increases, Impunity Protects Perpetrators 

In Selçuk University Faculty of Medicine's Department of Dermatology in Konya, an investigation was launched into the sexist, insulting and harassing correspondence of assistant doctors about their female patients, and the doctors were suspended from their duties.  

The systematic violence and abuse against women and children at the dance school DansFabrika was exposed by female dancers on social media. In addition to the psychological violence inflicted on girls by instructors about their appearance, a 16-year-old girl was reportedly abused by a 30-year-old man.  

After figure skater Ali Efe Güneş abused girls by sending them sexually explicit messages, an investigation was launched against him for 'sexual abuse', 'sexual harassment' and 'threats'. Güneş was banned from all events by the Turkish Ice Skating Federation and was removed from the Olympic squad athlete status. 

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. 

In Van, 19-year-old Zehra Gültekin was found dead in an empty field. 

 In Mardin, 14-year-old Elif Kanak was found dead in her house with a gunshot wound. 

 In Artvin, 36-year-old Filiz Savaş Tahmaz fell to her death from the terrace of the house she was visiting. The owner of the house was detained. 

In Antalya, 36-year-old Gözde Gökalp was found dead in her house. After investigations, bruises were detected on her body. Hüseyin Ş., the man she was with, was detained. 

The stories of the life struggles of the 29 women killed in April 

In Istanbul, 44-year-old translator Hanna Dürçek, was shot dead with a firearm by Ferhan Dürçek, the man she was married. The perpetrator committed suicide after the incident. 

In Kastamonu, 28-year-old Elif Civil, mother of one and 8 months pregnant, was killed with a sharp object by B. Civil, the man she was married. It was learned that Elif's body had been in the house for more than 10 days and the perpetrator had been in and out of the house during this period. 

In Eskişehir, 30-year-old Deniz Oktay was found dead in a forest area in Eskişehir. After the investigations, the perpetrator was identified as İdris G. It was learned that the perpetrator burned Deniz with gasoline after killing her. 

In Samsun, 32-year-old café worker Pınar Altınel was shot dead with a firearm at her workplace by Cengiz Altınel, the man she was in the process of divorce and had a restraining order against. The perpetrator committed suicide after the incident. 

In Antalya, 17-year-old Elif Güneş was shot dead with a firearm by Serkan Bozkurt, the man she was with. It was learned that the perpetrator, who escaped from an identity check due to a search warrant against him, took Elif hostage and that is how she was killed. The perpetrator committed suicide after the incident. 

In Istanbul, 26-year-old Yazgülü Coşkun, mother of one, was shot dead with a firearm by Gülabi Ç., who had many criminal records. 

In Adana, 38-year-old Rabia Şen, mother of five, was stabbed to death by Serdar Şen, the man she was in the process of divorce. 

In Aksaray, 45-year-old Nazmiye Bulanık was shot dead with a firearm by retired sergeant Cesur Bulanık, the man she was married. It was learned that the perpetrator locked their son in the room before the murder. The perpetrator committed suicide after the incident. 

In Malatya, 22-year-old Beste Kızılay, 8 months pregnant, was shot dead with a firearm by Alican Kızılay, the man she was married. The perpetrator was arrested. 

In Konya, 52-year-old Nazmiye Urgun was shot dead with a firearm by İbrahim Urgun, the man she was married. The perpetrator committed suicide after the incident. 

In Denizli, 42-year-old Hatice Ünlü, mother of two, was stabbed to death in the middle of the street by Mehmet Köseoğlu, the man she used to be married and who was released from prison on leave. The perpetrator was arrested. 

In Istanbul, 34-year-old Sevilay Yaztırmak, mother of one, was first stabbed and then beaten to death by Şaban Yaztırmak, the man she was in the process of divorce and had a restraining order against. The perpetrator was arrested. 

In Istanbul, 49-year-old Sevda Gül was killed with a hammer by Hasan Evran, the man her daughter Melisa Gül used to be with. Melisa was also injured. The perpetrator, who had many criminal records, was caught. 

In Kars, Hazal M., mother of one, was strangled to death by Emre M., the man she was married. The perpetrator was detained. 

In Samsun, 36-year-old Emine Akpınar was shot dead with a firearm by Emrah Akpınar, the man she was in the process of divorce and had a restraining order against. It was learned that the perpetrator was previously imprisoned for killing his brother. The perpetrator was arrested. 

In Afyonkarahisar, 34-year-old Şerife Karataş, mother of one, was shot dead with a firearm in the middle of the street by Ersin Karataş, the man she was in the process of divorce. The perpetrator committed suicide after the incident. 

In Erzurum, 24-year-old Hatice Agcakle Buzlak was found dead in the trunk of a car. It was revealed that Hatice was strangled to death in the car by Ali Osman Buzlak, the man she was married. The perpetrator was arrested after attempting suicide. 

In Istanbul, 47-year-old Vasılahan Usmanova was stabbed to death by Rustom A., the man she used to be married. It was learned that Vasılahan filed a complaint against Rustom A. for ‘intentional injury’ and she had gotten a restraining order against him. The perpetrator was arrested. 

In Manisa, 44-year-old Şenayi Arslan was stabbed to death and her 8-year-old daughter injured by Fırat Arslan, the man she was married. The perpetrator was caught. 

In Hatay, 57-year-old Zeynep Sönmez was killed with an axe by Ahmet Sönmez, the man she was married. The perpetrator was detained. 

In Izmir, 55-year-old Gülay Işıklar was shot dead with a firearm by her son Can Işıklar. The perpetrator was arrested.  

In Istanbul, 67-year-old Hatice Kırbaş and her 46-year-old daughter Zeliha Kırbaş were shot dead with a shotgun by Hayrettin Kırbaş, the man Hatice was married. The perpetrator committed suicide with the same weapon after the incident. 

In Izmir, 39-year-old Selen Sakın was shot dead with a firearm in front of her residence by Necat Yorğun, the man she used to be with, on the pretext of jealousy. Selen Sakın's 70-year-old mother Medine Serpil Kaynak was also wounded. The perpetrator committed suicide with the same weapon after the incident. It was learned that the perpetrator was wanted for different crimes. 

In Şanlıurfa, Zeliha Yorgun was stabbed 15 times and murdered in the middle of the street by Hasan Yorgun, the man she was in the process of divorce. 

In Hatay, 37-year-old Betül Tozan was shot dead with a firearm at the seashore by gendarmerie personnel Ersin Tozan, the man she was with. The perpetrator committed suicide with the same weapon after the incident. 

In Edirne, 14-year-old Gülden Coni was stabbed to death in a schoolyard by E. A., the man she was with. 

In Istanbul, 31-year-old Ayşegül Başak was stabbed to death in front of her 16-year-old daughter by Ahmet Başak, the man she was married. 

In Hatay, 53-year-old Hüsne Habraş was strangled by her 20-year-old son Hasan Habraş. In his testimony, the perpetrator said that he killed his mother to “drive the devil out of her”. 

In Istanbul, 27-year-old Sinem Çeşim was stabbed to death by Mehmet Şerif Tanrıkulu, the man she was with, on the pretext that she wanted to break up with him. It is learned that the perpetrator, who has not been caught since April 9, has a warrant for his arrest since June 2024.  

*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 individuals of the female gender, from embryo to fetus, infant to child, 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”