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Transcript/ScriptFOR USAGM SHARE
((PLAYBOOK SLUG: Turkey Women Rights (TV)
HEADLINE: Case Against Turkish Women's Rights Group Provokes Outrage.
TEASER: Despite the growing number of women murdered, Turkish prosecutors seek to close women's right group fighting against femicide.
PUBLISHED AT: Thursday, 04/21/2022 2:15 pm
BYLINE: Dorian Jones
CONTRIBUTOR:
DATELINE: Istanbul
VIDEOGRAPHER: Berke Bas DO NOT USE NAME FOR SECURITY REASONS.
PRODUCER: Rob Raffaele
SCRIPT EDITORS: LR, BR
VIDEO SOURCE (S): VOA Original, AFP
PLATFORMS: WEB __ TV _X_ RADIO __
TRT: 3:04
VID APPROVED BY: BR
TYPE: TVPKG
UPDATED: DO NOT USE BERKE BAS NAME FOR SECURITY REASONS))
((INTRO))
[[Turkey has one of the worst records in Europe when it comes to the number of women murdered, or femicides. One of the most prominent groups challenging this phenomenon is called the "We Will Stop Femicide Platform.” But a court case could soon shut the group down, prompting outrage and protests across Turkey. For VOA, Dorian Jones reports from Istanbul.]]
((NARRATOR))
Istanbul protesters holding images of murdered women – most of them killed by their boyfriends and husbands.
The We Will Stop Femicide Platform is at the forefront of these demonstrations and other actions to force the issue of femicide onto the political agenda.
But now, the group is fighting for its survival, accused by the government under Turkey's civil code of undermining family values and morality.
[[RADIO VERSION: This protester who did not want to be identified explains why she took part in this recent demonstration.]]
((Turkish Protester ((FEMALE IN ENGLISH – DID NOT WANT TO BE IDENTIFIED – VOA))
“I am really angry; I am really upset. I think that's an injustice towards us women. We are fighting against crime; and the government is not supporting us, and I am really upset.”
((NARRATOR))
The group has drawn praise in Turkey and abroad for its campaigns aimed at shaming authorities for what activists say is the government’s failure to protect women. The platform also provides legal support to victims' families seeking legal redress.
But a court case filed by public prosecutors threatens to shutter the group.
[[RADIO VERSION: Fidan Ataselim is Secretary-General of the Platform.]]
((Fidan Ataselim, We Will Stop Femicides Platform (FEMALE IN TURKISH – VOA))
“It's hugely intimidating. We're not even talking about what happens if we're closed, we're continuing our fight not to have our platform shut down. But just the attempt to close it is part of the suppression, criminalization, and polarization policies against democratic public organizations and the struggle for women's rights.”
((NARRATOR))
Some analysts see the case as a bid by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to consolidate his conservative voting base - a charge the government denies.
Erdogan has withdrawn Turkey from the Istanbul Convention, the first international treaty focused solely on protecting women against violence, claiming it undermined family values.
The U.S. State Department’s annual human rights report this year cited Turkey’s poor record on violence against women.
And human rights groups criticize Turkey’s actions against the platform.
[[RADIO VERSION: Emma Sinclair Webb is with Human Rights Watch.]]
((Emma Sinclair Webb, Human Rights Watch ((female in English) On-camera -Original)
“This platform has been highly successful in raising public awareness of the issues to a very wide part of the society in lots of different parts of the country, and an attempt to close them down just looks like a kind of reprisal against them for their success as a campaigning organization.”
((NARRATOR))
Relatives of murdered women are among the platform's strongest supporters, pledging to stand by the group.
[[RADIO VERSION: Among them is Nihat Palankeen, whose daughter was murdered.]]
((Nihat Palandoken, Platform Supporter (MALE IN TURKISH – VOA))
“We Will Stop Femicides Platform is our organization. When they target this platform, it means they're targeting us. They've scratched our wound one more time.”
((NARRATOR))
At the end of this rally, the names of victims are read out. The next rally will almost inevitably include new names on the grim list.
With the government working to shut down the group, the We Will Stop Femicide Platform may not be around to demand justice for those murdered.
((Dorian Jones, for VOA News, Istanbul))
NewsML Media TopicsHuman Interest
NetworkVOA
Embargo DateApril 21, 2022 14:57 EDT
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English
