‘Protecting the Right to Life of Everyone is a Responsibility of us All’

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Amid news of mounting discrimination and violence against LGBTI+ community in Turkey, main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) Vice Chair Gökçe Gökçan has released a written statement about the issue.

CLICK - Discrimination and Violence Against LGBTI+s in İstanbul

'We have two extremely humane demands'

Gökçen has released the following statement:

"In the time of pandemic and in the pride month that we are currently in, we see that there has been a marked increase in the violence targeting the LGBTI+s. While the number of complaints reported to the civil society organizations has almost doubled in this period, two physical and one verbal attack has been reported only in the last three days.

"We demand that social peace be established, the right to be equal before the law and in esteem be ensured and constitutional principles be enforced in our country. We have two extremely natural and humane demands: May no one be discriminated against due to their sexual orientation or identity and an effective struggle be waged against hate crimes."

'Investigate hate speech, crimes effectively'

Referring to the Kaos GL Association's "2019 Report on Homophobia- and Transphobia-Based Hate Crimes in Turkey," Gökçen has reminded the public that two thirds of the related hate crimes are committed by multiple persons. Concluding her remarks, Gökçen has said:

"So long as discriminative statements are not responded with sanctions and they are even supported, LGBTI+s are being targeted more and more. Hate speeches and hate crimes need to be effectively investigated. It is a shame for us all that even defending the lives of everyone in the year 2020 is regarded as a 'sensitive' issue." (EMK/SD)