Equal rights: First step for protection
'If the "sexual orientation" phrase was included in Article 10 of the Constitution that arranges citizens’ equality before justice and law, it would sort out other legal deficiencies as well,' says Erol (from KAOS GL).
It has gradually become an ordinary part of page three articles in Turkish daily newspapers that gay-lesbian people are being murdered because of their gender identities. Moreover, murderers receive reduced punishment as homosexuality is regarded as a provocative element.
This is probably an extreme example of what gay-lesbians are experiencing in Turkey. However, Güner and Erol (from KAOS GL) emphasize that as long as the necessary changes in the Turkish Penal Code (TCK) regarding the basic human rights of gay-lesbians are not carried out, it won't be possible to say that gays or lesbians have no obstacles for the right to live in Turkey.
“If the ‘sexual orientation' phrase was included in Article 10 of the Constitution that arranges citizens' equality before justice and law, it would sort out other legal deficiencies as well,” said Erol (from KAOS GL) and added that they were not asking for "special rights" but were asking for justice and equality.
Here are some basic legal points underlined by the gay-lesbian activists:
* Turkish legislation does not provide protection against discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation or gender identity. The “sexual orientation” phrase should be in the articles arranging the protection of people who don't fit into general gender norms of society.
* Discrimination practices that gays-lesbians are facing because of their sexual orientation should be legally charged. Redundancy, preventing promotion, exile, directly or indirectly forced resignation should be included in the TCK (Turkish Penal Code) for these practices.
* The reduction in the punishment of crimes committed against gays-lesbians such as usurpation, attacks, injury or murder, should be lifted.
* The obscure expressions concerning the “morals of a society” in the laws are usually used against gays-lesbians. Such articles should be reworded to prevent wrong interpretations. - The word “exhibitionism” should be removed from the article. The article about obscenity is vague as well on what is obscene and what is not. “Sexual exploitation” should be used instead of “obscenity.” The expression, “unnatural sexual behavior” should also be lifted because it is vague.
Original link: http://www.turkishdailynews.com.tr/article.php?webcat=diplomacy&enewsid=3865
It has gradually become an ordinary part of page three articles in Turkish daily newspapers that gay-lesbian people are being murdered because of their gender identities. Moreover, murderers receive reduced punishment as homosexuality is regarded as a provocative element.
This is probably an extreme example of what gay-lesbians are experiencing in Turkey. However, Güner and Erol (from KAOS GL) emphasize that as long as the necessary changes in the Turkish Penal Code (TCK) regarding the basic human rights of gay-lesbians are not carried out, it won't be possible to say that gays or lesbians have no obstacles for the right to live in Turkey.
“If the ‘sexual orientation' phrase was included in Article 10 of the Constitution that arranges citizens' equality before justice and law, it would sort out other legal deficiencies as well,” said Erol (from KAOS GL) and added that they were not asking for "special rights" but were asking for justice and equality.
Here are some basic legal points underlined by the gay-lesbian activists:
* Turkish legislation does not provide protection against discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation or gender identity. The “sexual orientation” phrase should be in the articles arranging the protection of people who don't fit into general gender norms of society.
* Discrimination practices that gays-lesbians are facing because of their sexual orientation should be legally charged. Redundancy, preventing promotion, exile, directly or indirectly forced resignation should be included in the TCK (Turkish Penal Code) for these practices.
* The reduction in the punishment of crimes committed against gays-lesbians such as usurpation, attacks, injury or murder, should be lifted.
* The obscure expressions concerning the “morals of a society” in the laws are usually used against gays-lesbians. Such articles should be reworded to prevent wrong interpretations. - The word “exhibitionism” should be removed from the article. The article about obscenity is vague as well on what is obscene and what is not. “Sexual exploitation” should be used instead of “obscenity.” The expression, “unnatural sexual behavior” should also be lifted because it is vague.
Original link: http://www.turkishdailynews.com.tr/article.php?webcat=diplomacy&enewsid=3865
