Women fined for protesting against violence

Because of their participation in a "purple human chain" against the increase in violence against women, seven activists in Mersin have received a fine for an alleged misdemeanor.

Because of their participation in a rally against violence against women, seven activists in the southern Turkish coastal city of Mersin received a fine for an alleged administrative offence. The activists are to pay a total of 2774 TL (the equivalent of about 308 euros) for allegedly having moved "outside the zones for meetings determined by the governor's office".

On May 18, in front of the headquarters of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP), the women concerned had participated in a "purple human chain" initiated by the Kurdish Free Women's Movement TJA (Tevgera Jinên Azad) to draw attention to the increase in violence against women in Turkey.

This method is apparently gaining system in Mersin. At the end of July, five women from the central Akdeniz district had received a fine from the police because they had participated in a public statement after the murder of 27-year-old student Pınar Gültekin in Muğla.