Women’s Rights Platform Protests Shooting of Female Judge in Istanbul
Ankara, January 14 – Members of the Women’s Rights Platform gathered today in front of the Ministry of Justice in Ankara to protest the armed assault on Judge Aslı Kahraman by Public Prosecutor Muhammed Çağatay Kılıçaslan in Istanbul. The incident, which took place at the Istanbul Kartal Regional Courthouse, saw Judge Kahraman shot and injured by the prosecutor.
The protest, organized by the Women’s Rights Platform, aimed to draw attention to the increasing violence against women and the need for accountability within the justice system. The platform emphasized that such incidents, especially within the judiciary, undermine public trust and the pursuit of justice.
Call for Accountability and End to Impunity
Işıl Kurt, Ankara Representative of the Women’s Rights Platform, delivered a statement on behalf of the group. “Yesterday, in the Istanbul Anadolu Courthouse, a male prosecutor shot and injured a female judge with a firearm. This prosecutor is currently being tried for attempted deliberate killing,” Kurt stated. “In the courthouse, where the entire society seeks justice, where women turn when they are subjected to violence, and where the families of murdered women stand vigil for justice even before they can grieve, a person entrusted with ensuring justice attempted to kill a woman.”
Kurt further highlighted the platform’s commitment to fighting against a system that allows women to be killed and subjected to violence. “We will continue our struggle for all public officials responsible to be tried. We will not allow policies of impunity to prevail. We will not allow judicial packages and uncontrolled regulations that lead to the killing and violence against women,” she added, underscoring the group’s determination to bring about systemic change.
The protest remained peaceful, with participants holding banners and chanting slogans demanding justice and an end to violence against women. Following the statement, the group dispersed.
Details of the Incident
The shooting occurred at the Istanbul Kartal Regional Courthouse, where Public Prosecutor Muhammed Çağatay Kılıçaslan reportedly used a handgun to injure Judge Aslı Kahraman. The prosecutor is now facing charges of attempted deliberate killing. The incident has sparked outrage and renewed calls for stricter measures to protect women from violence, even within the country’s judicial institutions.
This event has also brought into focus the broader issue of violence against women in Turkey and the perceived leniency in some judicial outcomes, which women’s rights organizations refer to as “impunity policies.” The platform’s protest in Ankara serves as a powerful reminder of the ongoing struggle for gender equality and safety.
The Ministry of Justice has yet to issue an official statement regarding the protest or the ongoing investigation into the shooting. However, the incident has undoubtedly put pressure on judicial authorities to address concerns about safety and accountability within the legal system.
The Women’s Rights Platform continues to advocate for comprehensive legal reforms, increased protection for victims of violence, and stringent penalties for perpetrators. Their actions underscore the critical need for a justice system that not only upholds the law but also ensures the safety and dignity of all its members, particularly women.
Source: DHA
