IHD:77 Women were Killed by Relatives in 2003

On Women's Day on March 8, The Human Rights Association

(IHD), in a statement, said the killings of Guldunya Toren and Semse Allak,

who were both victims of honor crimes, showed that women's rights are

regarded as completely unimportant in Turkey. Women's rights are an

inseparable part of human rights, said the association.

IHD called on the government to fulfill the requirements of international

agreements. It also made public the results of the "Human Rights Violations

Report" of the year 2003:

* Three women were found dead after they went missing. 61 women, 20 of whom

were not yet adults, committed suicide.

* 40 women were killed in honor crimes. 37 died as a result of domestic

violence.

* Ten women were raped and killed.

This is only the visible part of the iceberg.

"Honor crimes are the worst crimes committed against women's right to live and their honor," said IHD adding that honor crimes are a violation of human rights. The association said it was up to the state to prevent such crimes, investigate and punish those responsible and protect the victims.

"Those who implement law should receive education"

IHD drew the government's attention to the following agreements regarding women's status:

* The United Nations (U.N.) International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, U.N. International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, U.N. Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, U.N. Convention on the Rights of the Child, the outcome of the 1993 Vienna World Conference on Human Rights, and the 1995 Beijing Declaration and Action Plan should all be properly implemented.

* Police, judicial personnel, legal personnel, and others, who are responsible of implementing law, should urgently receive education on the reasons of crimes committed against women in the name of honor, and their results. Educational programs to raise awareness should be encouraged, supported and implemented.

"There should be a secure and confidential complaint system"

* The measure-taking capacity of the police force and jurisdiction should be broadened so that they can handle complaints objectively and effectively and protect current and potential victims.

* It should be easier to establish and strengthen services like security, shelter, consulting, legal aid, health services, rehabilitation and support services to help the current and potential victims.

* Institutional mechanism should be established and strengthened to handle complaints about honor crimes against women and which would ensure confidentiality for victims or others who decide to speak up. (EO/BB)