CHP Vice-Chair: Coronavirus Cannot be an Excuse for Male Violence

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Main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) Vice-Chair Gülizar Biçer-Karaca has criticized a recent decision by the Council of Judges and Prosecutors (HSK) on the implementation of the law on violence against women.

Earlier this week, the HSK sent an official letter to judges and prosecutors about measures regarding the coronavirus outbreak. The letter said that "Cautionary decisions as part of Law No 6284 should be evaluated in a way that does not threaten the health of obligors," referring to restraint orders in cases of violence on women.

CLICK - Covid-19 Regulation by Judicial Body will 'Increase Male Violence'

The decision regarded women's right to life less valuable than men's right to health, Biçer-Karaca said at the parliament.

"The administrators, who expect constant dedication, responsibility and solidarity from citizens for public health, should remember that the state has a responsibility to protect the basic rights of individuals, to prevent violence on women according to the Constitution and conventions that we are a party to.

"The steps that have been taken under the name of fighting coronavirus, which are far from preventing violence on women, will be irreversible.

"While the people have to stay at home for their health and there are warnings that violence on women and children tend to increase, the HSK should urgently withdraw this decision.

"The right that is important as the right to health is the right to life. The period we are experiencing cannot force women who are subjected to violence to be under the same roof with the one who inflicts violence."

"Failing to implement the law shouldn' go unpunished"

"It is not clear what the HSK means by the measure regarding the implementation of Law No 6284.

"Coronavirus cannot and should not be the reason for considering the safety of the one who inflicts violence against the outbreak more important than women's security of life. There are women screaming for help, lacking support mechanisms to be away from violence. Thinking about men's health, the HSK did not consider the security of women at all. Who will be accountable for increasing violence, possible feminicides?"

Biçer-Karaca called on Minister of Family, Labor and Social Services Zehra Zümrüt Selçuk to take tangible steps for the implementation of the Law no 6284 and said that failing to implement the law should not go unpunished. (EMK/VK)

Click for the full text of the Law No 6284 on Protection of Family and Prevention of Violence Against Women