Exit from İstanbul Convention 'will perpetuate impunity for violence against women'

"We will make the İstanbul Convention enforced" (Photo: Dilara Açıkgöz / csgorselarsiv)

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The Human Rights Foundation of Turkey (TİHV-HRFT), the Turkish Industry and Business Association (TÜSİAD) and Amnesty International have criticized President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's decision on Saturday (March 20) to pull Turkey out of the İstanbul Convention.

Referring to the "Human Rights Action Plan" unveiled by Erdoğan on March 2, the TİHV said, "In fact, these successive steps make it clear that the notion of human rights means nothing more than an instrument for the government. "In fact, these successive steps make it clear that the concept of human rights is nothing more than a tool for political power.

"Violence against women is a structural and global phenomenon that is beyond social, economical or national boundaries. Violence against women, the primary cause of which is gender inequality and discrimination, is a serious violation of human rights and generally goes unpunished.

"At this point, it is unacceptable to attempt to terminate the İstanbul Convention by a single person's signature despite the strong demands and objections of the citizens, especially women and LGBTI+s, who strive for the protection of fundamental rights and freedoms, the protection of basic rights and freedoms, and the end of male violence.

"Because the termination of the Convention will, first of all, make women and LGBTI+s completely exposed and vulnerable to violence. On the other hand, it will weaken the basis of the social struggle to prevent violence and encourage men who are perpetrators of violent acts. Ultimately, domestic violence will become invisible, violations will not be tackled, and impunity will become permanent.

"The corrupt mentality"

Exit from the convention would "encourage the corrupt mentality that fuels every kind of violence against women," the TÜSİAD said in a statement on Saturday (March 20). "As it will not facilitate the state's fight against violence, it will also have irreversible consequences."

"Every single case of male violence against women will remind the consciences of the lack of the İstanbul Convention. Law No. 6284 and the İstanbul Convention are the most important pillars of combating violence.

"Contrary to defamations and distortions, the İstanbul Convention exists for the fight against every type of violence against women and for the protection of those aggrieved from violence, whoever it may be.

"The İstanbul Convention, which protects human rights, shouldn't be subject to the struggles in politics.

"It shouldn't be forgotten that violence against women is a violation of human rights. The İstanbul Convention is also an international commitment based on human rights.

"We see with regret that the decision taken today harms the reputation of our country before the international community in terms of human rights."

"This treaty is more important than ever"

Releasing a statement yesterday, Amnesty International's Senior Europe Adviser, Esther Major, said, "The spurious and dangerous rationale put forward by the Turkish authorities for withdrawing from the İstanbul Convention by attempting to connect this appalling decision with LGBTI community adds insult to injury.

"Rather than attacking LGBTI people and withdrawing from the Istanbul Convention, the government should instead redouble efforts to ensure LGBTI people, women and children are protected from violence and abuse. This treaty is more important now than ever with Covid-19 measures, such as lockdowns, leading to a spike in reports of violence against women and girls.

"We call on Turkish authorities to immediately reverse its retrogressive decision to withdraw from the Convention and to take action to protect and promote the rights of LGBTI people, women and girls. We further urge the authorities to ensure that the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and expression of all those protesting – including LGBTI people and women - are fully respected and protected." (EMK/VK)