The convention signed by Turkey in 2011 was the culmination of more than a decade of work by European Union agencies. develop a framework combating violence and exploitation against women. The articles in the Convention focus mainly on the prevention of domestic violence, the protection of victims and the prosecution of accused offenders. Another key issue in the agreement is the prohibition of discrimination on grounds of sex. Article 4 states that “the Parties shall implement the provisions of this Convention, in particular the measure intended to protect the rights of victims, without discrimination of any kind, such as sex. [or] sexual. ”
Turkey’s resignation from the Convention, after being a party to it for more than a decade, came as a surprise to both Ankara’s international partners and Turkish citizens. Recep Tayyip Erdoğanrecently announced its decision to withdraw from the Istanbul Convention was taken unilaterally despite his approval of the agreement by the entire government of the country. “This is not a decision made by Parliament. The step taken by the presidency is perfectly legal,” Erdoğan told reporters in Istanbul. “We’ve made the decision to leave and let them know about the situation. So, this is an agreement.”
The harsh announcement has provoked enormous resistance and international condemnation. Human rights groups around the world spoke out against the change, which called the withdrawal of the convention a terrible recession for women in Turkey. Many have asked the Turkish authorities to cancel the withdrawal. “Exactly ten years after its signing, women are speaking with one voice today to demand that the Turkish authorities reverse a decision that endangers the safety and even the lives of millions of women and girls,” said Amnesty International’s secretary general, Agnes Callamard.
Decision too aroused criticism From Turkey’s allies. Shortly after the decree was passed, US President Joe Biden condemned Turkey’s “deeply disappointing” decision to withdraw from a major European convention. “Countries should work to strengthen and renew their commitments to end violence against women, and not reject international agreements designed to protect women and hold abusers accountable,” Biden said of the agreement, which was ironically named Turkey’s largest city. “This is a depressing step backwards for the international movement to end violence against women worldwide.” Similar responses were heard from the Strasbourg Council of Europe, the EU’s main human rights body.
“This movement is a huge setback and all the more unfortunate because it jeopardizes the protection of women in Turkey, throughout Europe and elsewhere.” Marija Pejcinovic Buric, Secretary-General of the Council, said in a statement.
Many observers, both in Turkey and elsewhere, see the mixing of the Istanbul Convention as a continuing worrying trend in the country in recent years. Formerly a deeply secular state, the Turkish government, led by President Erdoğan, has for years promoted an ultra-conservative religious program that affects countless areas of Turkish domestic policy. Barely a month ago, the Turkish authorities caused national horror in determining a three-week ban the sale of alcohol. A ban aimed at preventing the consumption of alcohol during the month of Ramadan was even imposed on grocery stores that were forced to close liquor sections. Many vendors have quickly pointed out that the ban was only the latest measure in the year government efforts suppression of alcohol, which for years has made it difficult for shops to obtain alcohol permits.
Killer fundamentalist agendas coming into Turkish politics, from education reform, regional diplomacy has become at the forefront of women’s rights in the country. The Turkish political opposition has long drawn attention to the efforts of Erdogan’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) to underestimate, ignore or deny the seriousness of gender-based violence and feminicide in Turkey. Indeed, misogynistic and contemptuous statements AKP members, including Erdoğan himself, have led directly to violence against female elected officials. The most recent incident occurred on May 21, when Meral AksenerA good party leader and a critical critic of the AKP traveled to the province of Riza in the Black Sea. Aksender was approved by a group of Erdogan supporters, and assistants had to rush to the safety of his vehicle. In all, about 60 cases attack on opposition officials over the past two years, many of which can be credibly linked to Erdogan’s shameless anti-femininity.
In the light of this long trend, it is vital to look at Turkey’s withdrawal from the Istanbul Convention as it is: the latest transfer of the Recep Erdoğan program to transform the country from a secular republic to an Islamist one.
Factor Tess Bakker
“I am a geopolitical analyst based in Eindhoven who specializes in Middle East affairs. Before I was an independent analyst, I worked as a consultant for clients in the private sector, in companies based in the Netherlands.”
Source: The Nordic Page