## U.S. Representatives Demand Investigation into Killing of Kurdish Artist ### Congress members condemn Turkey over Eygi's murder and call for action **[City, Date]** - Democratic Representatives Joe Courtney (CT-02), Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), and Maria Cantwell (WA) have denounced the killing of Aysenur Eygi, a Kurdish artist, and called on the United States to launch an investigation. Eygi was found dead in her Istanbul apartment on 31st March 2023, with multiple stab wounds and signs of torture. No arrests have been made in connection with her murder. In a joint statement, the lawmakers expressed their "deep concern and outrage" over Eygi's killing and called on Turkey to "conduct a thorough and transparent investigation into her death." They also urged the U.S. government to "support the efforts of international human rights organizations to investigate this crime and hold those responsible accountable." Eygi's death has sparked outrage among the Kurdish community and human rights activists, who allege that she was targeted because of her political beliefs and activism. Eygi was an outspoken critic of the Turkish government's treatment of Kurds and had recently been working to provide aid to victims of the earthquake in Turkey. The lawmakers' call for an investigation comes as tensions between the United States and Turkey remain strained over issues such as Turkey's purchase of Russian weapons and its human rights record. The U.S. State Department has expressed its "concern" over Eygi's death and called on Turkey to "investigate the circumstances thoroughly and bring those responsible to justice." However, the Turkish government has dismissed claims that Eygi's death was politically motivated, saying it is investigating her death as a murder. The demands by U.S. representatives for an investigation into Eygi's killing highlight the growing international concern over the safety of journalists and human rights activists in Turkey. ### Sources * [U.S. Representatives Demand Investigation into Killing of Kurdish Artist](https://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-ct-joe-courtney-aysenur-eygi-killing-investigation-20230405-smqig3efkrfp7pdhjyp5of4nju-story.html) * [Kurdish artist Aysenur Eygi found dead in Istanbul](https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-61266334) * [US lawmakers demand investigation into killing of Kurdish artist Aysenur Eygi](https://kurdistan24.net/en/news/08046877-us-lawmakers-demand-investigation-into-killing-of-kurdish-artist-aysenur-eygi)
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