Turkey: another trans woman stabbed to death – UPDATE

Further to my recent post “Turkey: another trans woman stabbed to death” (link here) about the murder of yet another trans woman in Turkey, the LGBTT Rights Platform of Turkey has issued a Press Statement (via KaosGL News):

As you were informed before, one of our trans friends Cagla, was stabbed to death on 22 May 2009 in her house, in Ankara. Discrimination and hate crimes against LGBT individuals are commonplace in Turkey and unless necessary de facto and legal measures are taken, human rights violations against LGBTs will not stop.

The murder of Cagla was the proof of this fact. We will not stop our struggle and will put pressure on state officials to make them stop homophobic and transphobic attitudes in their policies.

Our human rights call after the last transphobic hate murders, especially after Cagla’s death, paved the way for civil society to take side with us against perpetrators and the ignorance of state. On 23 May 2009, at 19.00 p.m., LGBTT Rights Platform and several supporters from different NGOs gathered in front of Cagla’s house to protest homophobic and transphobic violence with a press statement.

“What do the authorities wait for to act? How many of us should also be murdered? Whose government is this? Whose parliament is this?”

“The murderers are not those just who hold the knives or guns. The murderer is the system which prevent LGBTTs to have their basic rights and freedoms.”

“Those authorities, who do not act to solve these problems and who ignores them are also the murderers!” said the statement.

LGBTT Rights Platform and ally civil society NGOs and groups also conducted a press statement in Ýstanbul, on 26 May 2009.

“Stop hate speech! Get used to it, transvestites and transexuals are here!”

“Down with your morals that encourages hate and murders in the laws and our daily lives!” said the statement.

Every Thursday, at 19.00 p.m., we will continue to gather in front of Human Rights Advisory Board of Prime Ministry in Ankara to protest homophobic and transphobic violence.

I hope that the planned regular protest succeeds in alerting more people to this war against TS/TG people and helps to bring about the changes that are so urgently needed in Turkey. Once again, I voice my support for my trans siblings there, and send my condolences to the family and friends of Cagla.

The photos accompanying this post were taken at the protest and are from the gallery at the KaosGL website.

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Previous related posts:

• Turkey: another trans woman stabbed to death (May 25, 2009)
• Turkish parliament questioned on trans safety (May 12, 2009)
• Lambda Istanbul granted permission to continue operating (May 7, 2009)
• Suspected murderer of trans rights activist arrested in Turkey (April 21, 2009)
• Every 15 days, another trans person is murdered in Turkey (April 14, 2009)
• The undeclared war against LGBTT people in Turkey continues (March 29, 2009)
• Another trans woman murdered in Turkey (March 14, 2009)
• Trans woman stabbed to death in Istanbul (March 12, 2009)
• Lambda Istanbul wins appeal against closure (January 28, 2009)
• Trans rights abuses in Turkey (November 29, 2008)