Business group, opposition MP say withdrawing from İstanbul Convention will encourage violence

Women showing a banner that reads, "Implement the İstanbul Convention," in Kadıköy, İstanbul. (File photo)

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As the government is reportedly preparing to partly or completely withdraw from the İstanbul Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence, The Turkish Business and Industry Association (TÜSİAD) and Republican People's Party (CHP) MP Candan Yüceer have said in separate statements that the convention is of vital importance for women's safety.

"Every single feminicide and male violence against women show how vital is the İstanbul Convention," said TÜSİAD in a written statement.

"Violence against women is a bleeding wound in both the world and our country and a crime against humanity. Unfortunately, we face women being subjected to violence on various excuses and being deprived of their right to life every day.

"Incidents of murder, rape, harassment and forced and early marriage, which make women's and children's lives fall apart, are the reflection of a mentality that makes women subjected to discrimination just because they are women.

"International conventions and our laws are the most effective instruments for the struggle against the mentality that foster violence and violent acts.

CLICK - BİA Male Violence Monitoring Reports

"The İstanbul Convention exists for the struggle against every kind of violence on women. The İstanbul Convention exists for protecting those who suffer from violence, whomever it is. It exists for standing against violence without 'buts and ifs'.

"The Grand National Assembly of Turkey's approval of İstanbul Convention with the alliance of all of our political parties has been an exemplary and pioneering step to the entire world.

Signing the İstanbul Convention means that there is no excuse for violence against women. Opening the convention to debate, on the other hand, means excusing violence and encourages those who commit violence.

"Every single feminicide and male violence against women show how vital is the İstanbul Convention. Disinformation about the contract should be left aside, protection of those who are exposed to the risk of violence and those who suffer from violence should be focused on.

"Regardless of their views, the unification of all political parties and all segments of the public is both a humanitarian responsibility and a must for the state to fulfill its obligations towards women citizens.

"It shouldn't be forgotten that there have been important gains in our country in terms of awareness about gender equality. Our ministries, civil society organizations, private sector organizations are powered by these regulations.

"The İstanbul Convention is a promise to the women of Turkey and the world, it is a strong commitment. Let's not renege on this promise. Let's not encourage those who commit violence."

"They either didn't read or didn't understand the convention"

Speaking at the parliament's general assembly, CHP MP Yüceer called criticism against the convention that it makes families dismember and increases divorces "nonsense."

"Lately, we observe in amazement that the AKP Deputy Chair and the AKP Chair joined these campaigns by saying, 'We do what is necessary, we quit,' and 'Remove it if the people don't want it'. They either didn't read or didn't understand what they read," she said, referring to President and Justice and Development Party (AKP) Chair Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's reported remarks.

"This convention says, 'The duty of the state is not only to chase after the criminals after what happened but to transform the social conditions before the crime occurs.'

"What do you oppose about this convention? What are you against this contract? Are you against equality policies? Are you against protecting women from violence, or are you putting tasks and duties on the government?

"This is actually a reaction against the change in women's social role, in cultural norms. It is a reflection of the mentality that doesn't regard women equal to men, that is against women having equal rights as men even on paper ... It is the reflection of a mentality that considers women acceptable only in family and when she doesn't raise her voice.

"What really needs to be changed, removed, is this mentality. What is wrong is not the convention but this mentality. What really needs to be criticized is not the convention but the failure to implement it.

"Violence has become ordinary ... But effective measures against it are still not taken. Twenty-seven women lost their lives in only June, 23 women lost their lives suspiciously. The İstanbul Convention wasn't written out of nowhere, it has emerged from a need." (EMK/VK)