06.11.2007 - Source: European Commission

Combating honor killings ("Turkey 2007 Progress Report [SEC(2007) 1436]") [ID 22374]

"The Turkish authorities have issued circulars to governorates, judges and prosecutors, with the aim of improving services to victims of violence. Implementation of the prime ministerial circular to combat honour killings and domestic violence against women is underway, under the coordination of the Directorate-General for the Status of Women. Cooperation between public institutions and civil society has improved and regular meetings are held with public institutions and women's NGOs to monitor the implementation of the circular."

Document(s): Open document

06.03.2007 - Source: US Department of State

According to the government, there were 1,806 honor killings between 2001 and 2006 ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2006") [ID 19007]

For cases of honor killings consult the original document

"The government undertook a major campaign during the year to end the practice of honor killings--the killing by immediate family members of women suspected of being unchaste; however, the practice remained a problem. The government reported that there were 1,806 honor killings between 2001 and 2006. During the same period, 5,375 women committed suicide. After the government increased penalties for honor killings, family members increasingly pressured girls to kill themselves in order to preserve the family's honor, according to women's rights groups. Broaching the formerly taboo topic, Prime Minister Erdogan condemned the practice of honor killings at the Organization of the Islamic Conference in November. In July the Prime Ministry issued to all ministries and provincial governments a circular that reminded each government institution of its responsibility to prevent domestic violence, including honor killings. In December the interior ministry issued a circular to provincial governors instructing them to form special committees to prevent honor killings. Turkish imams joined pop music stars and soccer celebrities to produce television and billboard ads declaring honor killing a sin and condemning all forms of violence against women. The State Ministry for Women began a prevention of violence against women educational program for all soldiers doing their mandatory military service. Government officials worked with advocacy groups such as KA-MER, the leading women's organization in the southeast, to hold town hall meetings and set up rescue teams and hotlines for endangered women and girls. Under the Penal Code, honor killings require punishment of life imprisonment. Women's rights groups reported that there remained dozens of such killings every year, mainly in conservative Kurdish families in the southeast or among migrants from the southeast living in large cities. Because of sentence reductions for juvenile offenders, observers noted that young male relatives often were designated to perform the killing."

Document(s): Open document

23.02.2007 - Source: UN Population Fund

Categorization of honor killings ("The Dynamics of Honour Killings in Turkey: Propects for Action") [ID 19116]

For detailed information on the different categories of honor killings consult the original document 

"- A married woman having an extra-marital relationship

- A married woman running away with a man

- A married woman leaving her husband or getting divorced

- A divorced woman having a relationship with another man

- A young, unmarried girl having a relationship

- A young, unmarried girl running away with a man

- A woman (married or unmarried) being kidnapped and/or raped"

Document(s): Open document

28.08.2006 - Source: BBC News

Young children, in some cases a woman's own son, used to carry out so-called honor killings ("Turkish boys commit 'honour' crimes") [ID 17575]

Document(s): Open document

20.12.2005 - Source: BBC News

At least 60 women reportedly killed in honor killings each year ("Turkish MPs probe honour killings") [#40837],  [ID 13881]

Document(s): Open document

11.2005 - Source: UN Development Programme

Report on honour killings ("The Dynamics of Honor Killings in Turkey") [ID 23069]

Document(s): Open document

19.10.2005 - Source: BBC News

Honor killing, practice where women are murdered for allegedly bringing shame on their family, still has significant support in parts of the country ("Turkish backing for honour crimes") [#38015],  [ID 13882]

Document(s): Open document

28.02.2005 - Source: US Department of State

Cases of honor killings ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2004") [#29519],  [ID 13884]

"In April, 14-year-old Nuran Halitogullari was killed by her father and brother in Istanbul. According to press reports, a 32-member family council had ordered her killing to "clean the family honor" after she was kidnapped and raped earlier in the year. Prosecutors opened a case against the father, whose trial continued at year's end.

In February, 22-year-old Guldunya Toren was killed by two of her brothers in an Istanbul hospital. According to press reports, a family member raped and impregnated Toren in 2003. Toren fled Bitlis, in the southeast, for Istanbul, where she gave birth. Two of her brothers later tracked her down and shot her. She survived and was taken to a hospital, where her brothers shot and killed her in front of witnesses. Prosecutors opened a case against several family members; trial proceedings continued at year's end.

Trial proceedings continued in the case of Semse Allak, who was killed by relatives in Mardin Province in 2003 for becoming pregnant out of wedlock. Trial proceedings also continued in the case of Kadriye Demirel, who was killed by her 16-year-old brother in Diyarbakir in 2003 for becoming pregnant out of wedlock.

In March, a Sanliurfa court sentenced the brother of 14-year-old Emine Kizilkurt to life imprisonment for murdering her in 2002 because a neighbor had raped her; the court sentenced 8 other family members to 17 years in prison for approving the killing. The case was under appeal at year's end."

Document(s): Open document

20.02.2005 - Source: Kaya, Serafettin

Threat of honor killing by family members unlikely, if a woman has been victim of rape; safeguarding of means of existence difficult for single illiterate woman ("Stellungnahme vom 20.2.2005 an VG Schleswig - 2 A 167/04 -") [#30619],  [ID 13885]

Document(s): Open document

05.07.2004 - Source: BBC News

Country is poised to introduce mandatory life sentences for those who carry out honor killings ("Turkey gets to grips with 'honour killings'") [#23811],  [ID 13887]

Document(s): Open document

28.04.2004 - Source: BBC News

Police in Istanbul reportedly detained father on suspicion of murdering his 14-year-old daughter after she was raped ("Turkish father 'kills raped girl'") [#21876],  [ID 13888]

Document(s): Open document

27.02.2004 - Source: BBC News

Istanbul: Woman murdered in hospital where she was already treated for injuries sustained in a so-called honor attack ("Turkish single mother in 'honour killing'") [#19906],  [ID 13890]

Document(s): Open document