Law Didnt Protect Woman Killed by Ex-Lover

Following news regarding women subjected to violence today, lawyer Senal Sarihan says legislation is flawed and one would have to gather evidence and witnesses on her own to gain legal protection.

According to an article that appeared on Milliyet on December 25, a woman was killed by ex-lover despite applying to the security forces and the attorney generalship for protection.

She received death threats and several physical assaults from her ex-lover until finally he killed her. In each incident, the legal authorities rejected her appeals on grounds that such wouldn't constitute enough grounds for legal action.

Women's rights activists Zelal Yalcin and Istanbul Bar Association executive member lawyer Nazan Moroglu emphasize that women subjected to physical or psychological violence have a hard time starting legal processes.

Ministry of Justice says an investigation will start into the incident and Istanbul Bar Association Chair Kazim Kolcuoglu considers filing a complaint against public prosecutor Hasim Guvercin who failed to protect the woman.

Special legal protection needed

Lawyer Sarihan notes the difficulties of verifying threats between separated couples.

While individuals are protected against domestic violence by law no 4320, incidents that the law doesn't embrace results in fatality.

"There's a catch here. A psychological investigation for the ones that realize the threats must be ordered, but this is always neglected. The public prosecutors can demand it from the legal medicine department" adds Sarihan.

She also noted that the scope of the law no 4320 must be expanded to include incidents involving couples who aren't officially married, such as partners living together or couples bounded with the unofficial, traditional marriage.

"Lastly, we need special legislation and legal processes to protect women from violence".

Moroglu notes that there's a confusion and ignorance on the side of the public concerning what to do when faced with such threats.

There'd been only 13 thousand complaints to the Bar in Istanbul this year and Moroglu thinks this is too low for city of 12 million.

Yalcin summarizes it up: "Men hit and the state protects them".(AO/EU)