Following Turkey’s exit from the Instabul Convention across the world country and women groups and community groups have reacted to the decision.
Calling the move a ‘great error’ the Ataturk World Platform(AWP) has issued a statement saying: “Turkey became the first country to ratify the convention, The Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence, better known as the ‘Istanbul Convention’, was terminated by the President. Thus, the protection of the lives of millions of women, the common will of more than half of the people of the country, the issue of Human Rights, the rights of LGBTI organizations, and International Treaties have pushed aside; The decision of the one-man administration is imposed on the nation. Moreover, despite the fact that a convention that was unanimously accepted by the parliament can only be terminated by a decision of the parliament … The Istanbul Convention has been ratified by law and entered into force. It cannot be abolished by the decree of the President. Cancelling international conventions in a way that is against the Constitution leads to even greater errors and dangers.
“Lawyers say “fundamental rights cannot be regulated by Presidential decree”; The ‘Istanbul Convention’ was ratified by law 10 years ago and put into effect. Remove Turkey from this contract is not possible. In this respect, the Presidential decree issued on this convention is completely against the Constitution, it has the verdict of null and void. ” They say… Despite all these facts, the President ignored the democratic republic law and the reaction of large segments of the people and proved that he was in favour of communities and sects opposed to the republic and Atatürk’s revolutions. Undoubtedly, this decision, which was taken with the concern of losing votes, will bring great damage to political power. The proportion of those who are against the Istanbul Convention is 17%, and these are radical religious groups, namely congregations and sects. According to the current Constitution and laws, the existence and activities of sects and communities are a crime. The government turned a blind eye to this unlawfulness and became a party to this crime with its unlawful decision.
In a country where violence against women and murders of women are constantly on the rise, we believe that such a perfectly prepared contract, which protects women, children from physical, sexual, economic and emotional violence, takes measures to combat all kinds of violence, and includes “Prosecution and Support Policies”. And to resist this is a huge mistake. Withdrawal of the signature from this contract means for our women, the state has withdrawn from protecting you…
67 women were killed by men in the first months of 2021. Terminating the Istanbul Convention is to ignore these murders. The Istanbul Convention is the guarantee of life and rights.”