CHP Women's Branch Chair Asu Kaya: 'The murder of Bahar Aksu has shown once again that we are not safe'

Hazal Güven - 12punto.com.tr 

Another name has been added to the list of femicides resulting from impunity and flawed or incomplete policies. In Istanbul's Şişli district, 34-year-old Bahar Aksu, who was on her way to work, was targeted for abduction by her ex-partner, Rüstem Elibol, and his 3 accomplices. Aksu was murdered by Elibol in the middle of the street in broad daylight. 

Following the murder, it emerged that Bahar Aksu had previously been subjected to threats and harassment by Elibol and had filed multiple criminal complaints with the prosecutor's office, yet no action had been taken. Women who gathered at the site where Aksu was killed frequently emphasized the policy of impunity in their statements. 

Speaking to 12punto regarding both the murder of Bahar Aksu and the rising number of femicides in Turkey, CHP Women's Branch Chair Asu Kaya said, "We are closely following the entire process. We have understood once again that under these conditions, none of us are safe." 

'THIS IS WHAT WE MEAN WHEN WE SAY FEMICIDES ARE POLITICAL'

Kaya continued her remarks as follows: 

"We are closely following the process with all our legal units and our women's branches. In coordination with the Union of Turkish Bar Associations (TBB), we are closely monitoring every single case of femicide and violence against women in Turkey. Looking at the man who murdered Bahar Aksu and those with him, it is clear that this massacre was carried out in an extremely reckless, fearless, and organized manner. This is exactly what we mean when we say femicides are political."

'MY DAUGHTER CANNOT WALK WITHOUT LOOKING BEHIND HER'

Stating that "impunity paves the way for massacres," Asu Kaya recalled that the daughter of CHP leader Özgür Özel was also harassed and threatened following an attack on the CHP leader at a farewell ceremony held for DEM Party member Sırrı Süreyya Önder recently. 

Kaya continued her words as follows: 

"All examples of femicide show the same thing. Impunity and the policies implemented fail to protect women, and the way is paved for massacres. I also have a daughter. She cannot walk without looking behind her. Similarly, there was an attempted attack on our party's Chairman, Mr. Özgür Özel, recently, and immediately afterward, we learned that Mr. Özel's daughter's address had been exposed. We understand that under these conditions, no one in this country is safe. The women of this country and the dissenting voices of society are not safe."