Closure case for We Will Stop Femicide Platform association rejected

Click to read the article in Turkish

The trial of the We Will Stop Femicide Platform (KCDP) Association took place today in the 13th Civil Court of First Instance in Istanbul today, and the lawsuit calling for the closure of the association has been rejected.

The association was facing charges of "conducting activities contrary to the law and morality" based on allegations such as "ignoring the concept of family, trying to break down the family structure, and engaging in immoral activities under the guise of defending women's rights."

After identity verifications, the trial began at 11:00 am, and following the decision, women in the courtroom chanted slogans of "We will stop femicide."

The trial was attended by attorney Polat Yomaner from the Human Rights Foundation, attorneys from the Freedom of Expression Association, attorneys from the Istanbul Bar Association, and the Turkish Bar Association Women's Rights Center, as well as the relatives of women who lost their lives due to male violence.

During the trial, first, the relatives and families of women who fell victim to femicide spoke, expressing that instead of closing the association, it should be supported.

Fidan Ataselim, the General Secretary of KCDP, also spoke during the trial. Ataselim said, "The lawsuit for closure filed against us is entirely unlawful. It is alleged that we have carried out activities contrary to the law. We call for the enforcement of Law No. 6284. Trust in the justice system has been shaken."

Afterwards, the association's attorney Esin Yeşilırmak, and other attorneys requested the dismissal of the case.

While the lawsuit to close KCDP was rejected, women in the courtroom chanted slogans of "We will stop femicide" following the decision.

Subsequently, Fidan Ataselim, the general secretary of the platform, made a statement in front of the courthouse, stating that two people were unjustly detained today in front of the courthouse for carrying the LGBTQ+ flag. Ataselim said, "The rainbow is not a crime; discrimination is a crime. We will continue to wave the rainbow flag not only in courthouses but all across Turkey. We will continue our struggle."

(EMK/AÖ/PE)