Women Candidates Denounce Rape
A Turkish court acquitted the police officers because "N.O. was found to carry condoms with her."
All the women candidate deputies believe the acquittal of the police officers is a direct outcome of a masculine system.
Fusun Tas from ODP running as a deputy from Kocaeli, stressed that such a court decision legitimizes the police organization and torture, and justifies it. "The masculine view point has penetrated into the laws too," said Tas.
Pinar Selek from DEHAP running as a deputy from the 3rd region said that "all social establishments, from politics to law, are man." Selek calls on women to come together against men and masculine establishments.
"If a woman says 'I was raped,' she is telling the truth," said Pinar Turenc from ANAP running as a deputy from the 3rd region.
"It doesn't matter whether the insistence for sexual relation comes from a woman's husband or someone she doesn't know," said Turenc.
"If the woman doesn't want to have sexual relations, that is rape. The law should be scrutinized."
Zeynep Gogus from CHP running as a deputy from the 1st region, said that the masculine system in Turkey dominates politics, law and media.
"For this to change, more women have to actively participate in politics," Gogus added.
Selek: We don't only have Kemal, Mustafa, and Mehmet against us
All social establishments, from politics to law, are men. These establishments harbor the Patriarchal system. We don't only have Mustafa, Mehmet, Kemal and Tarik against us.
We, as women, are being overpowered by a system that is totally man. The court decision is not dissimilar of this system.
Men, and the masculine establishments that have discrepancies amongst them, demonstrate a perfect example of solidarity when it comes to women. We, women, need to come together, organize and spend effort.
Tas: The decision legitimizes torture
The clothing of a woman, the fact that she carries condoms, or her being a prostitute does not justify rape. A woman can have whatever occupation she wants to, live as she likes, or be a prostitute. None of these can be the reason for such a devastating attack.
This is not a decision that is directed only to women. This decision prepares the way for the reasons that would justify police organization and torture in that sense. It heartens torturers and rapists.
These problems cannot be solved by just legal regulations. Nonetheless, the law and implementations should not encourage the ones who act against women.
Turenc: Law should be scrutinized
If a woman says "I was raped," she is telling the truth. My experiences in life, things I have read in books and my research tell me that.
Moreover, if a woman does not want to have sexual relations, no matter who insists, that is rape. Whether it is her husband who is forcing her into having sex, or someone she doesn't know, that is rape. Prostitutes are also raped.
But there is a prejudice against women. I feel that there is prejudice involved in the court decision that led to the acquittal of the police officers. If the court can decide that the woman "wanted to have sex" just because she carried a condom, the law should be scrutinized.
And to be able to do that, you don't need to be a politician but need to have political willpower and get results.
Gogus: Women need to have political willpower against the viewpoint of men
Turkey is a men-dominated society. And thus, in every field, the masculine viewpoint is dominant. It is like this in politics, law, and media. There will be such decisions as long as this viewpoint does not change. This is why I am in politics and I am calling on women to be more decisive and active in politics.
Background
Police officers Engin Konak and Nihat Yildiz were charged with raping and detaining Russian N.O. in the Besiktas neighborhood of Istanbul.
They were acquitted on grounds that there was no convincing evidence. According to the court the fact that N.O. had a condom with her "could mean that she may have had sexual relations with the police officers voluntarily." (BB/EA/NM)
