AMED – IHD announced that the right to life of 88 women had been violated in Kurdistan over the past year.

 

The Women's Commission of the Human Rights Association (IHD) Amed (Diyarbakır) Branch released its Report on Violence Against Women. Esra Saçaklıdır, a member of the İHD Amed Branch Women's Commission, announced the report covering the period between 1 November 2024 and 1 November 2025 at a press conference held at the branch office. 

 

She stated that violence against women is not only physical but also psychological, sexual, economic, social and class-based violence directed at women by men and masculinity.  Esra Saçaklıdır said that women exposed to these forms of violence are pushed out of social life, isolated, and driven to suicide.  "Such suicides are social murders, and the state is responsible for preventing them," she said. 

 

Esra Saçaklıdır stated that no effective investigation had been conducted into the suspicious deaths of women, adding that at least 46 women had died under suspicious circumstances in the region within a year. Esra Saçaklıdır said that the perpetrators of these suspicious deaths had not yet been identified and that many cases, most of which were linked to domestic or social violence, had not been effectively investigated.

 

She added: “While domestic violence is perceived by society and the state as a family matter and ignored, this situation on the one hand eliminates the visibility of these cases of violence and on the other hand causes women to become even more isolated in social life and unable to make their voices heard. As a result of domestic violence in the region, at least 29 women have lost their lives and 9 women have been injured. Within one year, the right to life of 88 women has been violated."

 

'FAMILY YEAR INCREASES THE RISK OF WOMEN BEING LEFT DEFENCELESS'

 

According to these data, Esra Saçaklıdır stated that suspicious deaths are not reported in any way and injuries are covered up, noting that these cases demonstrate the inadequacy of protective mechanisms for women. 

 

She continued: “The declaration of 2025 as the 'year of the family' has not stopped women from losing their lives as a result of domestic violence. Before developing policies that prioritise the family, the state must take effective steps to protect women's lives and prevent violence. However, the declaration of the 'year of the family' has provided a framework that increases the risk of women being left defenceless against violence, rather than strengthening existing mechanisms to combat violence.  LGBTI+ individuals are subjected to increased violence and discrimination due to their gender identities and sexual orientations. The government's hateful and discriminatory rhetoric towards these individuals leads to further violence. This situation is particularly evident in the murders of LGBTI+ individuals.”

 

DEMANDS

 

The Women's Commission of the Amed Branch of the Human Rights Association (İHD) listed its demands for the prevention of violence against women as follows:

 

"*Turkey must rejoin the Istanbul Convention and fully implement all the principles set out in the Convention. 

 

*Law No. 6284 must be effectively implemented; law enforcement and administrative authorities must refrain from arbitrary practices. 

 

*Investigations into cases of domestic and social violence must be conducted swiftly, fairly and effectively; impunity must end. Women's access to referral and support mechanisms must be facilitated. 

 

*Pressure on civil society organisations working on women's issues must cease. Policies supporting women's economic independence must be implemented; their equal access to employment, education and social rights must be guaranteed. 

 

*We reiterate that all state institutions must play an effective role and fully fulfil their responsibilities in preventing violence against women.”