Woman who exercised self-defense against husband granted asylum by Switzerland

Photo: bianet/file

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Switzerland has granted political asylum to a woman from Turkey who killed her husband in an act of self-defense.

Yasemin Çakal in 2014 killed his husband Özkan Kaynaklı, who had been systematically violent with her. Put in prison after the killing, she was released in July 2017, after the court concluded that there was no reason for punishment "for a crime that she committed under fear and thrill."

Later, an upper court overturned the decision and gave a prison sentence to her.

Receiving threats after her release, Çakal applied to Switzerland for asylum. She has been living in a refugee camp in the country since then.

The Feminist Lawyers group first reported the news on Twitter, saying that "With the application of Yasemin Çakal, who was considered 'guilty' for laying claim to her own life and not being killed, a groundbreaking incident happened in Europe: Switzerland granted a political residence permit for Yasemin in a category that is considered a 'judicial crime'."

"Male violence is not individual, it's not a coincidence, it's political," said the lawyers. "While we hope that this decision will be relieving for all women who are subjected to male violence, it is also impossible not to mention the İstanbul Convention, which brings such regulation."

"I might have died"

They also released a video message by Yasemin Çakal, who said, "I have thought about this for three years. I might have died. I was the one who miraculously survived. When I went to prison, my father, my brothers, everyone continued their lives.

"I was very upset for not going for good and building a life. I had returned years ago because I looked back. When I got out of prison, I came here without looking back. But I got my due. It's a very important decision not only for myself but for all women. It is very important that I got a political residence."

What happened?

Yasemin Çakal killed his husband Özkan Kaymaklı, from whom she had been subjected to systematic violence, on July 10, 2014.

While her husband was trying to strangle her with a belt and pushing their child at the same time, she stabbed him with a knife that was on the table.

Prior to the killing, she had filed complaints against him many times and had resided in a women's shelter for a while.

On July 4, 2017, the Bakırköy 13th Heavy Peal Court ruled for her release, concluding that "There is no room for a sentence as it is considered that she committed the act as a result of exceeding the limits with thrill, fear and panic, which can be excused in legitimate defense."

While feminist lawyers appealed the decision demanding her acquittal, the deceased husband's family filed an appeal demanding a prison sentence for her.

As Çakal continued to receive threats after her release, she applied to Switzerland for asylum. (EMK/VK)