No leniency in sentencing for femicide crimes
Title: Two Families Seek Justice for Daughters Lost to Senseless Violence
Date: 07.07.2023
In two separate incidents in Turkey, two families are left devastated as they fight to seek justice for their daughters, who were tragically taken away from them in acts of violence.
In the city of Eskişehir, a 25-year-old woman named Tuğçe Can lost her life at the hands of Onur Kaya. After stabbing her 13 times, Kaya was apprehended and charged with intentional murder. Recently, Kaya appeared before the judge for the final time. Following the completion of the trial, the Eskişehir High Criminal Court delivered its verdict, sentencing Onur Kaya to aggravated life imprisonment for the crime of “deliberate killing by designing against a woman.” Notably, no discounts or reductions were applied to his sentence.
Similarly, in Antalya, another tragedy unfolded when 33-year-old Ayşegül Şimşek was brutally stabbed to death by her divorced husband, Erhan Onur Eldemir. During the decision hearing at the Antalya Heavy Penal Court, the judicial panel imposed an aggravated life sentence on Eldemir for the “deliberate killing against the spouse with whom he was divorced.” Just as in the previous case, the penalty was not reduced.
The harrowing incidents have highlighted the urgent need for measures to address violence against women in Turkey. Femicides continue to be a pervasive problem, undermining the safety and security of women in society.
As these two families mourn the loss of their loved ones, they also stand as a powerful reminder of the lasting impact of gender-based violence. Their pursuit of justice serves as a testament to their unwavering determination and their refusal to let their daughters’ deaths be in vain.
It is crucial for society as a whole to support and uplift these grieving families, as well as to work collectively to challenge and dismantle the structural and cultural foundations that enable such acts of violence. Only through consistent efforts and a unified stance can we hope to create a safer and more equitable society for all.
