Four years after the tragic death of 18-year-old İpek Er, who was sexually assaulted by Turkish gendarmerie staff sergeant Musa Orhan in the Beşiri district of Batman (Êlih), a Kurdish-majority region of eastern Turkey, women’s rights activists in Turkey continue to demand justice, condemning the state’s ongoing protection of Orhan.
Er’s death on 18 August 2020, of suicide after the assault, remains a powerful symbol of the systemic violence faced by women in Turkey, particularly Kurdish women.
Orhan, was convicted of aggravated sexual assault by Siirt High Criminal Court No.1 in December 2021, but received a reduced sentence of 10 years due to “good behaviour”. He was released under judicial control and remains free while his case is pending appeal in the Court of Cassation.
Nurten Üzümcü, a Central Committee member of the Democratic Regions Party (DBP), highlighted the broader context of violence against women in Turkey, particularly against Kurdish women. “There has been a marked increase in violence, harassment and sexual assault against women over the past decade. The attack on İpek Er is not just an isolated incident but a reflection of state policies that target women, especially Kurdish women, who face dual oppression—both as women and as part of a national struggle,” she stated.
Üzümcü criticised the state’s failure to hold perpetrators accountable, asserting that Orhan’s actions are indicative of a wider strategy of using violence to suppress women’s agency and resistance. “Musa Orhan committed his crime with the backing of the state, knowing that the system would protect him. This is a deliberate strategy to intimidate and control women, particularly those involved in political or national movements,” she added.
The Peoples’ Equality and Democracy (DEM) Party’s Batman Branch Co-chair Songül Korkmaz pointed to the impunity enjoyed by perpetrators like Orhan as part of the ongoing conflict in the region. “İpek Er’s case is not just a personal tragedy but a direct consequence of the war in Kurdistan, where women are systematically targeted. The fact that Orhan remains free despite his conviction is a testament to the state’s policy of protecting those who commit violence under the guise of national security,” Korkmaz explained.
Activists argue that İpek Er’s death was not a suicide but a state-sanctioned murder, driven by policies that dehumanise women and deny them justice. “Musa Orhan is just one example of how the system fails women daily, allowing perpetrators to walk free while victims like İpek are silenced,” said Üzümcü.
Despite repeated calls for justice, the Turkish judicial system continues to delay and deny accountability, leaving İpek Er’s family and supporters in a prolonged state of grief and frustration. Activists vow to continue their fight for justice, not only for İpek Er, but for all women subjected to violence and state-sanctioned impunity in Turkey.
