Woman’s suicide following impunity for sexual assault on Parliamentary agenda

"Believe the one subjected violence" - Photo: csgorselarsiv/Şehlem Kaçar

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Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) MP Remziye Tosun has submitted a Parliamentary question about Eda Nur Kaplan, who committed suicide after the two men who had sexually assaulted her were released from detention. Addressing her Parliamentary question to Minister of Family and Social Services Derya Yanık, HDP's Remziye Tosun has briefly said:

"Subjected to the sexual assault of two men in Ankara on July 30, 2021, Eda Nur Kaplan filed a criminal complaint against the assaulters; however, the suspects were released due to lack of evidence.

"On August 7, 2021, after the suspects were released, Eda Nur Kaplan left a note to her family and committed suicide.

"The 4th Judicial Package that has passed the Parliament has stipulated concrete evidence in catalogue crimes.

On the other hand, the Article 102 of the Turkish Penal Code (TCK) says, 'Any person who violates the physical integrity of another person, by means of sexual conduct, shall be sentenced to a penalty of imprisonment for a term of two to ten years, upon the complaint of the victim. If the said sexual behaviour ceases at the level of sexual importunity, the term of imprisonment shall be from two years to five years'."

Questions

"Was your Ministry informed following the statements indicating that Eda Nur Kaplan had been subjected to sexual assault? What measures does your Ministry take in the face of the failure to carry out or extend an investigation by considering women's statement to be primary?

"What efforts does your Ministry make to protect women despite the condition of concrete evidence in sexual assault offenses introduced by the 4th Judicial Package?" (EMK/SD)