No action taken despite allegation of rape in repatriation center in Iğdır

Click to read the article in Turkish / Kurdish

S.F.A. from Afghanistan who was subjected to sexual violence in the Iğdır repatriation center in the far of Turkey made a criminal complaint but is still kept at the same place with the suspected perpetrators.

18 year old S.F.A kept in Iğdır Temporary Repatriation Center was allegedly raped by N. A., H. A., A.G., and B.M. who stay with her in the same center. S.F.A, with the help of a friend who speaks Turkish, told the center's officers about two sexual assault events she experienced on March 6 and 7.

The repatriation center officers' report was sent to the gendarme on the same day. The gendarme who came to the center talked to S.F.A., who cannot speak Turkish, and kept a report which stated that "the victim is not making a complaint," and left the center.

Lawyers who learned about the assault talked to S.F.A. and made a criminal complaint to Iğdır Chief Prosecutor's office. S.F.A. told in her statement that she was subjected to a sexual assault and threatened by N. A., H. A., A.G., and B.M.

Suspects A.G. and B.M. were summoned to give their statement by the gendarme. No further action was taken about the two, and they were sent back to the repatriation center after giving their statements.

S.F.A. is currently still being kept at the same facility as the offenders of sexual assault. (EMK/PE)