Sociologist Selek symbol of Woman’s Day in France

STRASBOURG – Doğan News Agency

Selek spoke during a panel entitled "From Olympe de Gouges to Pinar Selek, 220 years of women's struggle and resistence." DHA photo

Sociologist Pınar Selek was presented as a symbol of the struggle for women's rights at an event organized by the Strasbourg municipality on March 8, in the framework of International Woman’s Day. Selek was presented among the most prominent women's right advocates, such as Olympe de Gouges, one of the pioneers of feminism, famous philosopher Simone de Beauvoir and German political activist Clara Zetkin. The event was hosted by the mayor of Strasbourg and Socialist Party member, Roland Ries. Ries and fellow local Socialist Party members took the floor and declared their solidarity with Selek.

“I don’t want to be a hero. The torture I have been through has strengthened our solidarity for justice and equality. What is being done in Turkey is an insult to everyone,” Selek said.

Selek was condemned to a life sentence Jan. 24 for the deadly bombing of the Spice Bazaar, or Mısır Çarşısı, in central Istanbul, that left seven dead and wounded dozens more. The detailed ruling, which was announced March 6, rejected the claim that the blast was a bombing on the basis that evidences were not clear. According to another claim, the blast could have been caused by an LPG blast.