Transgender Inmate’s 'Death Fast' Brought to Parliamentary Agenda

Click to read the article in Turkish

Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) MP Filiz Kerestecioğlu has brought transgender woman inmate Diren Coşkun’s death fast to the parliamentary agenda.

An inmate at Tekirdağ F-Type Closed Men’s Prison, Coşkun embarked on a death fast on January 25, demanding laser epilation therapy, recognition of her right to gender reassignment, and an end to their severe isolation.

Kerestecioğlu, in her parliamentary address, indicated that Coşkun’s visitor at prison and Istanbul LGBTI Administrative Boardmember Kıvılcım Arat had also started a death fast on February 6 in solidarity, and urged Parliament to “Hear this voice.”

“Denial of gender identity leads to severe trauma”

Kerestecioğlu stated: “Whether you agree with it or not, a person’s gender identity is one of the most fundamental elements of their existence. This is also a universal legal principle. Denying this identity leads to severe trauma, especially in transgender individuals, who strive their whole lives for societal acceptance of their identity.

“Sadly, many trans individuals come to the point of ending their lives under similar pressures.”

Incarcerated since August 2017

Diren Coşkun was arrested on a charge of “terrorist organization propaganda” in August 2017 in Diyarbakır province. Served a definitive judgment, she is facing three years in prison.

She shares her cell with another trans woman, Buse, who was arrested 18 years ago. (TP/PU)