Complicit masculinity of judges: Unjust provocation mitigation in femicide in Turkey

Eylem Ümit Atılgan

doi:10.35295/osls.iisl.2086

Auteurs-es

Eylem Ümit Atılgan University of Near East/Kyrenia University https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0807-4579

DOI :

https://doi.org/10.35295/osls.iisl.2086

Mots-clés :

Feminist Legal Theory, femicide, masculinity, legal culture, socio-legal studies

Résumé

The paper focuses on how unjust provocation reduction, regulated in Article 29 of the Turkish Penal Code, is applied in cases of violence against women, LGBTI, and transgender individuals in Turkey, also known as "masculinity sentence reduction" by feminist lawyers. In particular, I will look into case files in which the "masculinity defence" made by almost all perpetrators in femicide cases is accepted by the court as a justification for reducing the sentence of the perpetrator. I will examine how masculinity is portrayed in judicial decisions, specifically looking at provocation defences to demonstrate how jurisdiction plays a part in perpetuating masculine domination within society. Using theories of masculinity and masculine domination, I will try to reveal the contribution of judges to the "masculine legal culture" as a form of "complicit masculinity".

Téléchargements

Les données relatives au téléchargement ne sont pas encore disponibles.

Metrics

Views 271
Downloads:
14(5)_Atilgan_OSLS (English) 366
XML_14(5)_Atilgan_OSLS (English) 15

Biographie de l'auteur-e

Eylem Ümit Atılgan, University of Near East/Kyrenia University

Eylem Ümit Atılgan holds a PhD from the Philosophy and Sociology of Law Department of Ankara University Law Faculty. She received Philosophy and Sociology of Law associate professorship from Turkish Interuniversity Board (ÜAK) in 2015 . She has worked as a visiting scholar at Humboldt, Turin, and Macerata Universities, and has conducted studies on legal culture and feminist legal theory. She is the Vice Dean of the University of Kyrenia Law Faculty, as well as a full-time associate professor at both Kyrenia and Near East University. Email: eylem.atilgan@neu.edu.tr

Références

Agence France-Presse in Istanbul, 2015. Three men get life sentence for murder and attempted rape of student in Turkey. The Guardian [online], 4 December. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/dec/04/three-men-life-sentence-murder-student-turkey-ozgecan-aslan

Akkaya, K.H., and Balcı, Y., 2013. An analysis of the murder of women in a 10-year period in Eskişehir Province located in western Anatolia in Turkey. Journal Forensic Legal Medicine [online], 20(6), 736–739. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jflm.2013.04.007 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jflm.2013.04.007

Atılgan-Ümit, E., 2015. Türkiye’deki İç Hukuk Kültürü Üzerine Sosyo-Hukuki Bir Araştırma, Haksız Tahrik Kararlarında Eril Tahakküm Kodları. Ankara: Turhan.

Atılgan-Ümit, E., 2019. Şehrazat, Homo Sacer İstanbul Convention. Vira Verita [online], November. Available at: https://viraverita.com/sehrazat-homo-sacer-ve-istanbul-sozlesmesi/

Atılgan-Ümit, E., 2020. Cezasızlığın Kadın Cinayetlerini Teşvik Rolü [The Role of Impunity in Promoting Femicide]. In: M.B. Soygüt and A. Türay, eds., Kadına Yönelik “Erk” ek Şiddetiyle Mücadele [Combating Male Violence Against Women - Problems and Remedies]. Istanbul: Beta, 103–111.

Atılgan-Ümit, E., 2024. Haksız Tahrik, Bir Erkeklik Hakkı. Ankara: İletişim

Atuk, S., 2020. Femicide and the speaking state: woman killing and woman (re)making in Turkey. Journal of Middle East Women’s Studies [online], 16(3), 283–306. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1215/15525864-8637409 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1215/15525864-8637409

Bahadır, B., 2014. Ölü Kadınlar Memleketi. Ankara: Ayizi.

Banakar, R., and Travers, M., eds., 2009. Theory and Method in Socio-Legal Research. Oxford: Hart.

Bereket, T., and Adam, B.D., 2006. The Emergence of Gay ldentities in Contemporary Turkey. Sexualities [online], 9(2), 131–151. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1177/1363460706063116 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1363460706063116

Bılmez, D., 2015. “Öldürme hakkımı kullandım” diyen koca: Beni aldatmış. Milliyet [online], 19 January. Available at: https://www.milliyet.com.tr/gundem/oldurme-hakkimi-kullandim-diyen-koca-beni-aldatmis-2000760

Birdal, Y., 2023. Erkek Adalet Kıskacında Kadınlar: Örselenmiş Kadın Sendromu ve Feminist Kriminoloji. Istanbul: Sel.

Bourdieu, P., 1987. The Force of Law: Toward a Sociology of the Juridical Field. Trans.: R. Terdiman. Hastings Law Journal, 38(5), 805–813.

Bourdieu, P., 2001. Masculine Domination. Trans.: R. Nice. Redwood City: Stanford University Press.

Bourdieu, P., and Wacquant, L., 1992. An Invitation to Reflexive Sociology. Oxford: Polity Press.

Bozok, M., 2011. Soru-Cevap Erkeklikler. Istanbul: Sosyal Kalkınma ve Cinsiyet Eşitliği Politikaları Merkezi Derneği (SOGEP).

Çalışkan, M., 2019. İstanbul’da “Kadına Şiddet” ve “Kadın Cinayeti” Vakalarına Yönelik, Nicel- Nitel Bir İnceleme. Bolu Abant İzzet Baysal Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsü Dergisi [online], 19(1), 221–241. Available at: https://doi.org/10.11616/basbed.vi.513032 DOI: https://doi.org/10.11616/basbed.vi.513032

Cengiz, K., Tol, U., and Küçükural, Ö., 2004. Hegemonik Erkekliğin Peşinden. Toplum ve Bilim, 101, Güz, 50–70.

Clifford, J., and Marcus, G.E., eds., 1986. Writing Culture: The Poetics and Politics of Ethnography, A School of American Research Advanced Seminar. Berkeley: University of California Press.

Connell, R., 1987. Gender and Power: Society, the Person and Sexual Politics. Cambridge: Polity Press.

Connell, R., 2005. Masculinities. 2nd ed. Cambridge: Polity Press.

Coutin, S.B., 2000. Legalizing Moves: Salvadoran Immigrants’ Struggle for U.S Residency. Ann Arbor: University of Michigan Press.

Demren, Ç., 2008. Kadınlık Dolayımıyla Erkeklik Öznelliği. C.Ü. Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi Mayıs [online], 32(1), 73–92. Available at: https://kutuphane.dogus.edu.tr/mvt/pdf.php?pdf=0004137&lng=1

Elmas, T., Overdorf, R., and Aberer, K., 2021. Tactical Reframing of Online Disinformation Campaigns Against the Istanbul Convention [online]. Available at: https://dblp.org/db/journals/corr/corr2105.html#abs-2105-13398

Eyüboğlu, O.M., 2011. Şiddet Değil, Erkek Şiddeti. Blog post. Sosyalistfeministkolektif.org [online], 18 December. Available at: https://www.sosyalistfeministkolektif.org/web-yazilari/bedenimiz-ve-erkek-siddeti/iddet-deil-erkek-iddeti/

Friedman, L.M., and Macaulay, S., 1969. Law and the Behavioural Science. Indianapolis: Bobbs-Merrill.

Geertz, C., 1973. The Interpretation of Cultures: Selected Essays. New York: Basic Books.

Geertz, C., 2000. Local Knowledge, Further Essays in Interpretive Anthropology. 3rd ed. New York: Basic Books.

Gilmore, D., 1990. Manhood in the Making: Cultural Concepts of Masculinity. New Haven: Yale University Press.

Grieve, M., 2021. Turkey’s Withdrawal from The Istanbul Convention A Step Backward for Women’s Human Rights [online]. Briefing paper. Minneapolis: The Advocates for Human Rights. Available at: https://www.theadvocatesforhumanrights.org/res/byid/9110

Hunter, R., 2008. Can feminist judges make a difference. International Journal of the Legal Profession [online], 15(1–2), 7–36. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1080/09695950802439759 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/09695950802439759

Hürriyet, 2007. Cinayete kot pantolon ve cilve indirimi! Hürriyet [online], 9 November. Available at: https://www.hurriyet.com.tr/gundem/cinayete-kot-pantolon-ve-cilve-indirimi-7649495

Joinet, L., 1997. Question of the impunity of perpetrators of human rights violations (civil and political): final report / prepared by Mr. Joinet pursuant to Sub-Commission decision 1996/119 (E/CN.4/Sub.2/1997/20) [online]. Geneva: United Nations, 26 June. Available at: https://digitallibrary.un.org/record/240943?ln=es&v=pdf

Kandiyoti, D., 1988. Bargaining with Patriarchy. Gender & Society [online], 2(3). Available at: https://www.jstor.org/stable/190357 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/089124388002003004

Kav, G., 2020. Yaşasın Kadınlar-Türkiye’de Kadın Cinayetleri Gerçeği ve Çözüm Yolları. Istanbul: Doğan Kitap.

Kepenek, E., 2019. Haksız Tahrik İndirimi Bir Erkeklik İndirimidir [Unjust Provocation Reduction is Masculinity Reduction]. Bianet [online], 8 December. Available at: https://m.bianet.org/bianet/toplumsal-cinsiyet/216827-haksiz-tahrik-indirimi-bir-erkeklik-indirimidir

Kuo Shu-Chin, G., 2005. Rethinking the Masculine Character of the Legal Profession: A Case Study of Female Legal Professionals and their Gendered Life in Taiwan. American University Journal of Gender, Social Policy & The Law [online], 13(1), 25–57. Available at: https://digitalcommons.wcl.american.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1283&context=jgspl

MacKinnon, C.A., 1987. Difference and Dominance: On Sex Discrimination. In: C.A. MacKinnon, ed., Feminism Unmodified: Discourses on Life and Law. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 381–391.

Malinowski, B., 1922. Argonauts of the Western Pacific: An Account of Native Enterprise and Adventure in the Archipelagoes of Melanesian New Guinea. London: Routledge & Sons.

Maraşlı, G., 2024. Yargılama Faaliyetlerinde Kadınlara Yönelik Düşmanca Tutumlar ve Düşman Ceza Hukuku Uygulamaları. Near East University. Unpublished master’s thesis.

Mayring, P., 2023. Einführung in die Qualitative Sozialforschung. Eine Anleitung zu Qualitativem Denken (7. Auflage). Weinheim: Beltz.

Merry, S.A., 2010. What Is Legal Culture - An Anthropological Perspective. Journal of Comparative Law, 5(2), 40–58.

Milliyet, 2015. 'Öldürme hakkımı kullandım' demişti... Milliyet [online], 26 January. Available at: https://www.milliyet.com.tr/gundem/oldurme-hakkimi-kullandim-demisti-2004149

Muftuler-Bac, M., and Muftuler, C., 2020. Provocation defence for femicide in Turkey: The interplay of legal argumentation and societal norms. European Journal of Women’s Studies [online], 28(2), 159–174. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1177/1350506820916772 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1350506820916772

Nelken, D., 2004. Using the Concept of Legal Culture. Australian Journal of Legal Philosophy, 29(1), 1–28.

Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, 2023. A/HRC/53/36/Add.1: Visit to Türkiye-Report of the Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls, its causes and consequences [online]. 25 April. Available at: https://www.ohchr.org/en/documents/country-reports/ahrc5336add1-visit-turkiye-report-special-rapporteur-violence-against

Pimentel, S., Pandjiarjian, V., and Beloque, J., 2005. Legitimate Defence of Honour: Illegitimate Impunity for Murder, A Critical study of legislation and case law in Latin America. In: L. Welchman and S. Hossain, eds., ‘Honour’ Crimes, Paradigms and Violence Against Women. London: Zed Books, 245–262. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5040/9781350220621.ch-012

Punch, K.F., 1998. Introduction to Social Research: Quantitative and Qualitative Approaches. London: Sage.

Real, T., 2004. Erkekler Ağlamaz. Trans.: K. Koltukçuoğlu. Istanbul: Kuraldışı.

Ritsert, J., 1972. Inhaltsanalyse und Ideologiekritik. Ein Versuch über Kritische Sozialforschung. Frankfurt am Main: Athenäum Fischer Taschenbuch.

Rodríguez, C.M., 1999. Clearing the Smoke-Filled Room: Women Jurors and the Disruption of an Old-Boys’ Network in Nineteenth-Century America. The Yale Law Journal, 108(7), 1805–1844. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2307/797451

Rouland, N., 1994. Legal Anthropology. Trans.: P.G. Planel. Redwood City: Stanford University Press.

Sancar, S., 2009. Erkeklik İmkansız İktidar. Istanbul: Metis Yayınları.

Sarkamo, V., et al., 2017. Honour, Dishonour and Homicides in Britain, Namibia and Turkey. Historical and Contemporary Perspectives. In: M. Husso et al., eds., Interpersonal Violence Differences and Connections. Abingdon: Routledge.

Selek, P., 2008. Sürüne Sürüne Erkek Olmak. Ankara: İletişim.

Silbey S.S., 2010. Legal Culture and Cultures of Legality. In: J.R. Hall, L. Grindstaff and M.C. Lo, eds, Handbook of Cultural Sociology. London/New York: Routledge.

Silbey, S.S., 2013. What Makes a Social Science of Law? Doubling the Social in Socio-Legal Studies. In: D. Feenan, ed., Exploring the “Socio” of Socio-Legal Studies. London: Palgrave, 20–36. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-137-31463-5_2

Soygüt, M.B., and Türay, A., 2020. Kadına Yönelik Erk’ek Şiddeti ile Mücadele; Sorunlar ve Çarele [Combating Male Violence Against Women - Problems and Remedies]. Istanbul: Beta.

Toprak, S., and Ersoy, G., 2017. Femicide in Turkey between 2000 and 2010. PLoS ONE [online], 12(8), 1–16. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0182409 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0182409

Türk, B., 2011. Hegemonik Erkekl(ik) ve Kültürel Temsil. In: İ. Erdoğan, ed., Medyada Hegemonik Erkek(lik) ve Temsil. Istanbul: Kalkedon, 11–39.

Umur, Z., 1983. Roman Law Dictionary. Istanbul University Press.

UN Commission on Human Rights, 2005. Updated Set of Principles for the Protection and Promotion of Human Rights Through Action to Combat Impunity, (E/CN.4/2005/102/Add.1). 8 February.

West, R.L., 1991. The Difference in Women’s Hedonic Lives: A Phenomenological Critique of Feminist Legal Theory. In: M.A. Fineman and N.S. Thomadsen, eds., At the Boundaries of Law: Feminism and Legal Theory. New York: Routledge.

Wheeler, S., and Thomas, P., 2000. Socio-Legal Studies. In: D. Hayton, ed., Law’s Future(s) British Legal Developments in the 21st Century. Oxford: Hart, 267–29.

Wittig, M., 1992. The Straight Mind and Other Essays. Boston: Beacon Press.

Yalçın, S.T., 2019. Türk Ceza Hukukunda Kadın. Ankara: Yetkin.

Yılmaz, E., et al., 2015. Analysis and Comparison of Domestic Femicide Cases in the Cities of Diyarbakir & Tekirdag, Turkey: A preliminary study. Journal of Forensic and Legal Medicine [online], 34(August), 17–23. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jflm.2015.04.018 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jflm.2015.04.018