Esma Uludag
She graduated from two universities, became a civil servant, became a mother and never stopped being a student… Finally, she graduated from Gediz University Vocational School of Justice with the first rank. She received her diploma with her 3 children, one of whom was only 38 days old, and was applauded for her love of education and determination to read. Esma Uludag crossed the Evros with her 3 children and started to wait for family reunification in Greece. He died one night, first of a stroke and then of a heart attack.
Nur Ener Kılıç
Journalist Nur Ener Kılınç was arrested on 3 March 2017. She was subjected to strip search harassment and torture by 3-4 guards. At the time of the strip search, there were 3-4 guards in a small, narrow room. They were continuing their daily chats and low level gossip. When he asked whether you would be here during the strip search, they answered him with laughter.
Narin Günay
The murder of Narın Günay, one of Turkey’s darkest pages, reminds us not only of the tragic end of a little girl’s life, but also how fragile justice, human dignity and hope are. The aspects of this murder that could not be elucidated and the negligence of the authorities made her a lost part of this life. The search for justice for Narin continues.
Fatma Elif Kutlu
The loss of Fatma Elif Kutlu’s life leaves a deep void with the end of hopes and dreams. That innocence, which lost her life due to the violence of her ex-lover, shakes our soul. The pain left by the loss is not only an individual destruction, but also draws attention to the wounds of society. Our fight will be to take stronger steps and put a stop to such tragedies. We feel the pain in our hearts.
Melek Ipek
78-year-old Melek İpek fell into the clutches not of the law, but of tyranny. The Court of Cassation took away her freedom by accepting the offences that MASAK reports clearly denied as if they ‘existed’. Although there were no suspicious transactions in official documents, the court ruled as if there was evidence of a crime.
The mother of a family who fought for goodness and justice for years is now in prison despite her age and many illnesses. The judiciary, which is a puppet of the regime in which there is no justice, continues to keep the last days of a 78-year-old woman in the autumn of her life behind bars.
Who will stop this injustice that may one day happen to everyone who does not stop these injustices?
Şerife Sulukan
Unjustly imprisoned Şerife Sulukan reveals the cruel face of the regime’s cold and indifferent attitude. Despite her paralysed body, those who keep her in prison cause human values to be disregarded. Şerife Sulukan’s tragedy is a painful reminder of the existence of an environment where justice is not served and the silent cries of the victims are not heard. This painful story calls on everyone to strive for a more sensitive and humane system.
Özgecan Arslan
The tragic loss of Özgecan Arslan is not only a painful reminder of gender-based violence, but also a call for social awakening. Her murder highlights the struggle to ensure women’s safety and pursue justice. This tragedy reminds us all of the preciousness of every life and shows that we must work together as a society to prevent similar tragedies. Her loss continues to be a symbol of justice.
Gülten Nene
Grandma Gülten is battling cancer in prison and needs urgent treatment. However, the prison administration is inadequate in terms of health care services and continuously prevents Gülten from accessing treatment. Nene Gülten’s health is deteriorating, she is suffering from weight loss and severe pain, and her whole family is deeply affected. Gülten’s case is an important example of health rights violations in prisons and the justice system.
F.Y.
A mother who had just given birth was detained while she was still holding her baby. This situation, experienced by a mother in her most sensitive and special moments, jeopardised both her and her baby’s health. Another mother and her baby were sent behind bars on charges that have no equivalent in the law. What happened during this period when the mother and the baby need each other the most made the conscience ache.
Fatma Köklü
Fatma Köklü had beautiful dreams and many years ahead of her. Her life was full of hope, she was going to spend many beautiful days with her loved ones. However, the dark rage of one person extinguished her light and left behind an incurable wound. Fatma Köklü was brutally attacked in the prime of her life. What happened upset not only the life of a woman but also that of a family. While the murder caused great repercussions in the society, it left behind an indescribable pain.
Fatma Şentürk
Fatma Şentürk was 34 years old. She had dreams, hopes and plans for tomorrow. But she was brutally torn from her life by her husband, whom she was in the process of divorcing.
She met her killer for a last conversation. Words turned into knife strokes, hope gave way to horror. Fatma was never able to return home.
What remains now is a silenced voice, an unfinished life and a struggle for justice. Her story stands here, right in front of us, as the echo of all the voices that are not heard.
Hanife Arslan
82-year-old ill prisoner Hanife Arslan was released from Van Prison after the completion of her sentence.
Hanife Arslan, who was arrested in 2022 after her sentence of 6 years and 3 months for ‘being a member of an illegal organisation’ was approved on grounds of incomplete evidence, was released on probation after completing her sentence.
Hanife Arslan, who struggles with many diseases such as COPD, high blood pressure and diabetes, has been given a report that she can stay in prison and has not been released, despite many attempts by her lawyers and family to release her.
Girl Child Case
Today, while the world is talking about women’s rights, 41 people, including 15 girls, are being subjected to gross unlawfulness in Turkey. The women, 29 of whom were detained in Istanbul and 29 of whom were arrested, face ‘terrorism’ charges for simply giving lessons, passing the time or having a picnic in the park. Children were held for hours without a lawyer, forbidden to speak to each other, and even threatened with vomiting blood by a police officer.
Reaction to this injustice is mounting in Turkey and around the world. Washington-based ICRD Director Rebecca Cataldi, human rights observer Andrea Barron and lawyer Anaïs Lefort from the Paris Bar Association are following the case closely. It is not a crime for women to be educated and come together, but today even these basic rights are under threat.
Women’s Day is a day of struggle, not just celebration. Today is the day to raise voice and solidarity for these women who are subjected to unlaw!
Mehsa Amini from Iran
Mehsa Jina Amini (21 September 1999 – 16 September 2022) was an Iranian woman who was arrested and subsequently killed in police custody in Tehran for opposing the compulsory headscarf. Following her death, protests were organised across Iran. People and governments around the world reacted strongly to his death.
Narges Mohammedi
The 2023 Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to Nergis Muhammadi, a human rights activist imprisoned in Iran. In a statement released by the Norwegian Nobel Committee, Muhammadi’s ‘struggle against oppression and systematic discrimination against women in Iran’ was emphasised.
Özlem Meci
8 March International Women’s Day is a symbol of the struggle for women’s rights and freedom, yet many women in Turkey continue to face injustice and unjust treatment. Özlem Meci was taken hostage and later arrested only because of her husband, even though she was pregnant. Even when she was hospitalised to give birth, she was under military surveillance and a commander ordered the door to be opened during labour. The fact that a woman is subjected to inhumane treatment even during labour, one of her most special and sensitive moments, reveals how women’s rights are violated in Turkey. 8 March is not only a celebration, but also a day to raise women’s struggle for equality and freedom against these injustices.