Nineteen months have passed since the start of the investigation into the death of Rojin Kabaiş, a student at Van Yüzüncü Yıl University, with no significant developments in the case file.

 

After efforts to unlock Rojin Kabaiş’s phone in Spain failed, her family and lawyers applied to have the device sent to its manufacturer in China. Concerns persist over the lack of progress and what critics describe as the absence of an effective investigation.

 

The Justice Commissions for Rojin Kabaiş, formed after her death, are launching the campaign to shed light on the case, identify those responsible and push the process forward. Women will begin collecting signatures on April 20 at stands to be set up in 56 cities, starting in Wan (Van), Amed (Diyarbakır) and Istanbul.

 

Zeyşan Yiğit, a member of the Justice Commissions for Rojin Kabaiş, said they had decided to closely monitor the case in order to strengthen the struggle for justice, noting that no concrete progress has yet been made.

 

“Throughout this time no effective investigation has been conducted. The perpetrators have effectively been cleared. Our only demand is for an effective investigation and for those responsible to be punished. We want to know who the two DNA samples belong to,” she said.

 

Zeyşan Yiğit also said there had been attempts to portray Rojin Kabaiş’s death as a suicide, adding that the state must fulfil its responsibilities and prosecute those responsible.

 

She referred to the case of Gülistan Doku, a second-year Child Development student at Munzur University who has been missing since January 5, 2020, saying they would continue their struggle in both cases. She also accused the Justice Ministry of delaying the Rojin Kabaiş case.

 

Zeyşan Yiğit said the campaign aims to ensure a transparent investigation and results in the case, adding that collected signatures will be submitted to the Justice Ministry.

 

She concluded: “We believe this campaign and pressure mechanism can create at least some progress. Even a single signature can play a major role in strengthening the organised struggle of women. We call on everyone to raise their voice against the system that kills women.”

 

MA / Ozlem Yacan