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George R.R. Martin, a US novelist, short story writer, screenwriter and television producer, has sent a message to Turkey about the country's withdrawal from the İstanbul Convention by a Presidential decision.
Best known in Turkey for his series of epic fantasy novels adapted into Game of Thrones, George R.R. Martin has said in his message:
"My dear friend Sibel Kekilli — Shae, for all you fans of HBO's Game of Thrones — emailed me recently to alert me to some distressing news out of Turkey. (Sibel is German, born and raised in Germany, but of Turkish descent). Turkey, under the Erdogan regime, has officially withdrawn from the Istanbul convention that combats violence against women."
Sharing a link of a CNN International news story for those not familiar with the recent developments, he has further said:
"Sibel herself has first hand knowledge of what it means to experience violence, and she has long been an advocate fighting violence against women all around the world.
"She is not only an amazing actress (she gave Shae a depth the character never had in my books), but a very brave woman, and a true hero. I admire her immensely for all she has done, and continues to do.
"And I would like to echo her message to the women and girls of Turkey: Selam Ve Sevgiler (Greetings and lots of love).
"Stay strong."
My dear friend Sibel Kekilli emailed me recently to alert me to some distressing news out of Turkey...https://t.co/wuSFuYBdv9
— George RR Martin (@GRRMspeaking) March 30, 2021
What happened?
Turkey has withdrawn from the İstanbul Convention with a Presidential decision published in the Official Gazette on March 20, 2021.
The decision in question said that "the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence, which was signed by Turkey on May 11, 2011 and approved with the Cabinet Decree no. 2012/2816 on February 10, 2012, shall be terminated on the part of Turkey as per the Article 3 of the Presidential Decree no. 9." (TY/EKN/SD)
