Although Seyma Gunes (17), Mediha Basturk (19) and Sidika Platin (30) applied to shelters because they were subjected to violence by their families or husbands, they were not protected. Seyma was killed by her brother and Mediha was killed by her husband. The police officers had reconciled Mediha with her husband. A court had decided to hand Sidika over to her husband, who had cut her ear off. Today, only after six month, she is in hospital again. This time, she is in a coma.

Experience shows that Turkey cannot protect the women, who take shelter in the state. State officials send those women, who ask for protection because they have no life safety, back to the violent environment. Women are dying.

ECHR has fined Turkey

It is the state's duty to provide a secure life for women, according to the Constitution, laws, and international conventions.

The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) fined Turkey in June 2009, for not protecting Nahide Opuz, who was subjected to violence by her husband.

After the decision, a protocol was signed between the Interior Ministry and the State Ministry Responsible of Women and Family. According to this protocol, the woman's statement should be taken down when she goes to the police station without expecting her to prove the violence, and she has to be placed in a shelter if she does not want to go back home. But the protocol is not being implemented.

Institution capacity is inadequate

Coordinator Nese Hacisalihoglu of Hurriyet Campaign to End Domestic Violence is drawing attention to the inadequate capacity of institutions in Turkey:

"Police force, prosecutors, courts, and social security institutions are not cooperating."

"Police officials either don't know what they are supposed to do, or they act on traditional approaches. The same mentality is present at the Prosecutor's Office and social services institutions."

"Since there are not enough institutions and staff, a case cannot be followed in totality. According to the regulation, a woman can stay in a shelter for an average of three months. Women, who fear having nowhere to go at the end of this period, change their minds about applying to the shelter, or accept their husbands' offer to reconcile. Some women are handed over to their husbands or relatives with the assumption that the threat for their lives is over."

Family can sue the police

Lawyer Canan Arin believes that the police officers, who took Mediha Basturk from the shelter and handed her over to her husband, should be punished. Arin says it is also very important to prevent early marriages and reminds that a change in mentality is necessary.

"The family can sue the police officers for neglect of duty. They may also sue them for damages. A 16 year-old girl may only get married with her family's application and through a court decision. However, a girl that age should not be permitted to get married no matter what. To prevent early and forced marriages, the Juvenile Court must listen to the child in private and carefully evaluate all information. Public assess system and prosecutors should work very well." (BB/EA)