Murder of Hatun Sürücü 19 years ago: Commemoration in Berlin

Together with other political representatives, Berlin's Governing Mayor Kai Wegner (CDU) will commemorate the murder of Hatun Sürücü on Wednesday.

The then 23-year-old was killed by her brother "because she did not submit to the coercion and oppression of her family, but wanted to lead an independent life", Wegner explained on Tuesday. There are still families "who make it difficult for girls and young women to access education and careers".

Murder of Sürücü triggered horror

Hatun Sürücü was shot dead by her brother at a bus stop in Tempelhof on February 7, 2005. Against her family's wishes, Sürücü had taken off her headscarf and started an apprenticeship. Her western lifestyle supposedly violated the family's honor. The murder of the German-Kurdish woman caused horror among the general population. After more than nine years in juvenile detention, the perpetrator was deported to Turkey. A court in Istanbul acquitted two brothers of complicity.

"We will not tolerate girls and women having to live in fear of violence"

Wegner emphasized: "We live in an open and tolerant society in Berlin. We will not tolerate girls and women having to live in fear of violence." Homicides against women, such as the murder of Hatun Sürücü, are now also referred to as femicide. Femicide means that women are killed because of their gender - in other words, because they are women. The most common form is killing by partners or ex-partners. Femicides also occur when women are allegedly killed in the name of honor. Together with the district mayors of Neukölln and Tempelhof, Wegner will lay wreaths at the memorial stone in Oberlandstraße. Senator for Intergration Cansel Kiziltepe (SPD) is also expected to speak. In addition to the wreath-laying ceremony, other events will be held in Berlin on Wednesday in memory of Hatun Sürücü.