Transgender Inmate Buse Aydın: Only Those Outside Can Save My Life

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Buse Aydın wants to undergo a sex reassignment surgery.

The forensic report says, "A sex reassignment surgery is indispensable."

Her attorney Eren Keskin made the necessary applications for the surgery. However, the Ministry of Health says, "She can undergo the surgery but she will cover the expenses."

Keskin then filed a lawsuit for damages against the ministry and launched a support campaign.

Aydın, who previously cut off her sex organ because of being prevented from undergoing surgery, wrote a letter from prison:

"In November I went to see a doctor at Çapa [hospital]. They took blood again. They said, 'Go now and come again after one month'. I had a nervous breakdown. I argued with the doctor. I wanted to speed up the process. The doctor said, 'Come back in 15 days.'

"They say, 'You will go to Haseki [hospital] from Çapa and from there, you will go to the Forensic Medicine from there'. Forensics will make the final approval. Therefore, I don't think anymore that the report will be given. I'm sure it won't be given.

"The Health Ministry says, 'We will do it if you cover the expenses for the surgery'. As a result, I no longer have the strength to stand. I have no hope for the report. I only hope that you, those who are outside, will do it. I can bear this because of this hope. But I'm in a lot of pain.

"What I'm asking you is that let's not deal with the report anymore. Let's cover the expenses ourselves. Let's speed up the process to speed up the process. Let's apply to the Ministry of Health immediately as the campaign starts. We will also cover travel costs and expenses. Now the solution is in your hands. Help me. Only you can save my life."

What happened?

Buse had gone on a 38-day hunger strike in July 2018 to have her gender transition surgery accepted.

He suspended the death fast over the court's ruling that she "could have surgery." However, her surgery did not take place. Buse had begun her death fast again on January 31, 2019.

Human Rights Association İstanbul delivered the letter describing her condition to the United Nations on 20 February 2019.

The letter said the Justice Department's blocking of the surgery is against the 8th and 14th articles of the European Convention on Human Rights. (EMK/VK)