Following the death of a baby from starvation in Samsun, another tragic story of poverty has emerged from Diyarbakır. Unable to bear the destitution any longer, 25-year-old Yüksel Demir, a mother of four, ended her life.
According to Selim Kaya from DHA, 25-year-old Yüksel Demir in Diyarbakır could not prepare breakfast for her children because there was nothing to eat at home. Unable to withstand the destitution, she ended her life with a shotgun found at home. Her unemployed husband, 30-year-old Mehmet Demir, unable to bear his wife's suicide, set their house on fire in a bout of depression. The couple's four children were left in the care of their uncle Salih Demir, who has seven children of his own. Salih, who has been unemployed and injured for months, said, "We were a family of 9, now we are 13. I don't know whether to mourn my sister-in-law or my own situation."
Yüksel Demir, living in the Yeniköy neighborhood of Bağlar district in Diyarbakır, decided to marry Mehmet Demir at a young age. Despite her family's objections, Yüksel insisted on the marriage, saying she would run away if they didn't consent. During their 10-year marriage, they had four children. Mehmet worked in construction to support his family, but in recent months, he struggled to find work, making it difficult to provide for his family.
Last week, when her children asked for breakfast, Yüksel couldn't prepare anything for them. Unable to bear this, she used the shotgun to end her life. Neighbors who heard the gunshot found her in a pool of blood and rushed her to the State Hospital. After initial treatment, she was transferred to Dicle University Medical Faculty Hospital, but she died en route.
Husband Tried to Burn Down House in Desperation
Unable to bear the loss of his wife, Mehmet Demir tried to set their house on fire. Initially stopped by neighbors, Mehmet was taken to the police station after they were notified. Released after giving his statement, he returned home and set the house on fire again. The Demir family's home was completely destroyed, leaving behind four children and burned photographs filled with memories. After the incident, Mehmet's mental state reportedly deteriorated. The couple's children, 7-year-old Melek, 5-year-old Mücella, 4-year-old Besra, and 7-month-old Şeyhmus, are now cared for by their aunt Muazzez and uncle Salih Demir. Muazzez Demir explained that Yüksel ended her life due to poverty:
"My brother-in-law Mehmet's mental state deteriorated after Yüksel's death, and he disappeared after setting the house on fire. I had to take care of the four children left behind. Now, in addition to my own child, I'm also breastfeeding Yüksel's 7-month-old son Şeyhmus. We have no financial means. Our only security is our green card, but it doesn't feed us. My husband has been disabled for months, and it's hard to get a bite of bread in our home. While we were barely managing, our situation has now worsened. We ask for help from authorities. We seek help for these children left from a marriage destroyed by poverty. We call on our government, municipalities, businessmen, and all people of conscience to help us."
Salih Demir, who mentioned that his brother got married out of love and initially supported his family, said, "They had four children and began to deeply experience financial difficulties. After Yüksel's suicide, we were all devastated. Mehmet can't even go out on the street now. I had to take care of the four nephews left behind. I have been disabled for 10 months and have no income. We were a family of 9, now we have to support 13 people. I haven't been able to move for months. This pain we experience brings us closer to the end with each passing day. I want everyone to know what we are going through," he said.
28.02.2011
Source: Sol Haber
http://haber.sol.org.tr/kent-gundemleri/cocuklarina-kahvalti-veremeyince-canina-kiydi-haberi-39758
