LGBTT Rights Platform

Press Release, Thursday, 26 March 2009, Turkey

Subject: Attacks and murders in Eskişehir, Bursa and Edirne in Turkey

Homophobic and transphobic violence doesn’t stop: Assault in Eskişehir, murders in Bursa and Edirne!

A transsexual woman was attacked and beaten in Eskişehir. A transsexual woman was found her head cut in Bursa. A man has been killed by his friend on the claim that he asked for sexual intercourse.

There is still no word from the authorities about the cases of Ahmet Yıldız who were shot to death on 15 July 2008 in Istanbul and Dilek İnce who were shot to death on 12 November 2008 in Ankara. While we were in grief after them, another transsexual woman Ebru Soykan was stabbed to death on 10 March 2009 in Istanbul.

We continue to ask the same question again, “When are you going to stop watching?”  The murderers, who are encouraged by the silence of the state, continue on their fearless attacks. The recent news from Bursa horrified the LGBTT community in Turkey. We are in great sorrow after these brutal attacks.

Human rights violations against LGBTT individuals continue in the form of violation of rights to life

Because crimes against LGBTT individuals are not punished!

Killers are being awarded with grievous provocation decreases in punishment!

LGBTT individuals are being excluded and isolated through hate speech!

LGBTT individuals forced into isolation are represented as lives with no values!

LGBTT individuals are being avoided from their legal rights and thus unprotected!

We are worried!

Because the government does not take action to enact necessary legislation and implementation to avoid human rights violations against LGBTT individuals

We don’t know if there will be any comments on the killings of Ahmet Yıldız and Dilek İnce!

We are worried because we don’t know whether the person who killed Ebru Soykan will be awarded with grievous provocation decrease in punishment!

We are not sure if the brutal murder in Bursa will be solved, or not!

We are concerned, because the government makes LGBTT persons easy targets by watching the attacks on them and thus encourages murderers.

We are concerned, because the government is paving the way for killings by not protecting the right to life of its LGBTT citizens.

We ask!

Until when are you going to stop watching the hate against Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transvestite, and Transsexual (LGBTT) individuals?

Until when are you going to stop awarding crimes against LGBTT individuals and encouraging new crimes?

Why are the police departments in Istanbul and Ankara not able to find the murderers of Ahmet Yıldız and Dilek İnce?

Why are there no comments from the Public Prosecutors?

Will the Bursa case be solved?

We wonder if there is an undeclared war against homosexuals and transsexuals in Turkey?

If not, how many others should be killed to make you take action?

We don’t need mercy; we claim our basic human rights:

The right to life of LGBTT individuals must be protected equally with other citizens.

Cases of gay and trans murders must be solved.

Attackers and murderers must be found.

Decreases based on grievous provocation while punishing murderers of gay and trans persons must be abolished.

Crimes against LGBTT individuals must be defined under “hate crimes.”

You are committing crime by watching the murders, not providing right to life and imprisoning LGBTT persons into an unjust life!

LGBTT RIGHTS PLATFORM

İzmir Black Pink Triangle Association

İzmir Transvestite and Transsexual Initiative

Kaos GL Association

Lambdaistanbul LGBTT Solidarity Association

PurpleHand Eskişehir LGBTT Initiative

Pink Life LGBTT Solidarity Association

Diyarbakır Piramid LGBTT Initiative