New Law Sparks Outrage as Crime Against Women and Children May Go Unpunished
A new law recently passed by the Turkish Parliament has caused widespread outrage, as it may result in crimes against women and children going unpunished. Under this legislation, individuals who have committed crimes against women and children can be released on the basis of good social behavior. This move has been seen as a frontal attack on women’s rights by the ruling AKP-MHP regime, drawing sharp criticism from opposition members of parliament.
Berîtan Güneş, a member of parliament for the Green Left Party, spoke out about the law and its consequences, highlighting the government’s intentions to deepen gender inequality rather than eliminate it. She argued that the AKP government is effectively decriminalizing violence against women by taking no action to prevent it. Güneş emphasized that sentences for perpetrators of violence against women are often merely symbolic, with reductions in sentences due to good social behavior further facilitating a culture of impunity.
Güneş went on to explain that the increasing number of acts of violence against women and femicides in Turkey is a testament to the far-right and misogynistic nature of the current parliament. She criticized the ruling coalition’s opposition to key measures and laws aimed at protecting women’s rights and combatting gender inequality. According to Güneş, the AKP-MHP alliance seeks to remove women from public spaces and confine them to their homes, viewing women as objects meant to serve men. She argued that these regressive policies and the policy of impunity have led to a surge in femicides and violence against women in Turkey.
The deputy further pointed out that the new law contradicts the Turkish Constitution. Allowing the law to apply to criminals while excluding political prisoners is deemed a violation of the principles of equal treatment and discrimination prohibition. Güneş warned that the AKP government is attempting to establish a new social order that perpetuates violence against women, confines them to their homes, and strips them of their rights. She likened this agenda to a horror movie, vowing to resist such a dystopian future.
The Green Left Party’s Women’s Council has pledged to fight against the new prison law. Güneş acknowledged the coalition’s misogynistic nature and its attempt to crush women’s struggle for equality. She emphasized that the repression and oppression faced by women only make their resistance more legitimate and necessary. In the face of femicide-based policies, women’s organizing is crucial, presenting a historic opportunity for the women’s struggle to achieve widespread impact.
The implementation of the new law is expected to result in increased pressure on women and democratic forces. With the systematic release of perpetrators of violence against women, the safety and well-being of women are likely to be significantly compromised. Güneş concluded by expressing her belief that women will continue to fight against the assault on their rights, both on the streets and in the halls of parliament. Women’s resistance, she argued, will reach its strongest form in response to the challenges posed by the AKP-MHP regime and their efforts to roll back gender equality in Turkey.
In summary, the passage of the new law in Turkey has sparked outrage as it may lead to crimes against women and children going unpunished. Critics argue that the government’s failure to take action against violence is tantamount to de facto decriminalization. Opposition members, including Berîtan Güneş, have condemned this move as an attack on women’s rights and pledged to resist it both socially and politically. The law’s implementation is expected to exacerbate the pressure on women and democratic forces, further highlighting the need for ongoing activism and advocacy to protect women’s rights and combat gender inequality in Turkey.
