PERSECUTION AND DEATH

Killed by Injustice: A Young Turkish Girl’s Odyssey Amid Persecution

“It was injustice, not illness, that killed Sumeyra Gelir.”

Birthday Party — A Girl Growing

In a video clip taken over a year ago somewhere in central-western Turkey, a woman lit a candle on top of a decorated chocolate cake while a little girl tipped off the coming of someone: “She is striding up the stairs.”

As the suspenseful wait crept toward its climax, a young girl glided into the frame after swinging open the door. She looked delightfully surprised, smiling, and utterly lost for words when the voices came, bursting all at once into a chant.

“Happy Birthday, Sumeyra! Happy Birthday Sumeyra!…”

She approached slowly, almost cautiously, her smile a little too shy for her age, a little too heavy.

Sumeyra paused before the cake. What sounded to be her aunt guided her across the table to blow out the flames. Two haggard-looking, unkempt men gave Sumeyra a hug, wishing her many more happy years in the future.