“This Ruling Will Set Example in Other Male Violence Cases”

Turkey’s Interior Ministry has been ordered to pay damages to the family of a woman who was killed by her husband in the eastern province of Van. 

The ruling was issued on the basis that the ministry failed to protect the woman from male violence. “This case will set example to several similar cases,” advocate Müjde Tozbey told bianet. 

Müjde Tozbey, the family’s attorney, reminded the administration’s responsibility in cases where violence incidents could be foreseen. 

“The woman already complaint to a police station and gendarmerie. She even went to the prosecutor’s office, saying that she was facing domestic violence. This is enough. As soon as the violence complaint is made, all these authorities must have taken a decision and protect the woman, even if no further application is made,” she said. 

She already added that the case will set example to several similar cases: “We already received several email and phone calls from those who heard about the case through the media.”  

Case details

The aforementioned case concerned a woman from Van [bianet declines to release the personal details on the case due to family’s request] who applied to law enforcement authorities for domestic violence. Hospitalized several times, she was reportedly pushed to compromise with her husband every time she applied to authorities. The woman was killed by her husband three years ago. 

Following the completion of murder case, advocate Tozbey filed a complaint against Interior Ministry for failing to protect the woman. 

The court ordered Interior Ministry to pay damages to the family of the woman. The case is pending in Council of State [Danıştay in Turkish] at the moment. 

Constitution Court and ECHR if overturned 

Tozbey also added that they are likely to bring the case to Constitutional Court and the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) in cases that the Council of State would overturn the verdict. 

“The Council of State must approve the ruling. However, it is politically open to interventions. Therefore, we are worried. This is clearly a tribunal where authorities are tried for their responsibility towards women. 

“If needed, we will take the case to Constitutional Court and even to ECHR. I am hoping that we won’t need to go to ECHR, reminding the ruling on Nahide Opuz case. This ruling cites that the administration has a responsibility in cases where violence is predictable.” (ÇT/BM)

* Click here to read the article in Turkish.