'Is justice only for bosses and men?'

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The fourth hearing of the trial for the closure of the Women Will Stop the Murders Platform (KCDP) Association will be held today at the 13th Civil Court of First Instance.

The association is facing charges of "conducting activities contrary to the law and morality" based on allegations such as "ignoring the concept of family, trying to break down the family structure, and engaging in immoral activities under the guise of defending women's rights."

Before the trial, a large number of police officers were brought to the front of the Istanbul Courthouse in Çağlayan, and women's organizations made a statement to the press in front of the courthouse.

A banner with the words "Our decision is to stop the femicide" was displayed during the statement.

Relatives of some femicide victims also attended the statement, and slogans of "You will never walk alone" were chanted. KCDP Secretary-General Fidan Ataselim said the following:

"Welcome, dear women, who are fighting all over this country. Dear women, we are faced with a lawsuit that has been unjustly filed against our association. Erdogan says Turkey will be a century of justice. Today, we will see this. We will see if justice will come out of this courtroom today or if another decision will come out. Whatever decision comes out of this court, our decision will not change. They can never stop us. Wherever there is violence against women, wherever there is child abuse, they will continue to see us there.

"The Minister of Justice says, 'We will start from scratch on family law.' The minister talks about men's victimhood while women are being killed. Our civil rights are not your bargaining chip. They filed a closure case against us. The authorities of this country are not doing their job, and we are fighting alongside the families of femicide victims. We are fighting alongside women who are facing death.

"Those who say, 'Let this country not become like Iran,' here we are. Don't think we will allow a Taliban mentality, never. Those who filed a closure case against us released women killers and rapists. Then they talk about justice. What kind of justice is that! Is justice only for bosses and men? We will ensure real justice for women, for LGBT+ individuals, for citizens who are left in poverty. I say to Erdogan, 'The scales you have tampered with will one day weigh you.'"

(EMK/PE)