The 'expiry date' of İstanbul Convention in Official Gazette

"İstanbul Convention is ours, we don't give it up!"

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The Presidential Decision regarding the expiry date of the İstanbul Convention for Turkey was published in the Official Gazette today (April 30).

Turkey withdrew from the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence, known as the İstanbul Convention, as per a Presidential Decision dated March 19, 2021.

As reported by the state-run Anadolu Agency (AA), the recent Presidential Decision signed by President and ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) Chair Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has determined the expiry date of the Istanbul Convention as of July 1, 2021.

The related Presidential Decision has been issued as per the Article 3 of the Presidential Decree no. 9.

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Turkey has withdrawn from the İstanbul Convention with a Presidential decision published in the Official Gazette on March 20, 2021.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."

Following this Presidential decision published at midnight, several social media users, women's rights defenders, lawyers and politicians, denounced the decision, recalling that the convention was unanimously approved at the Parliament and stressing that it is not possible for Turkey to withdraw from an international convention with a Presidential decision.

After the Presidential decision pulling Turkey out of the İstanbul Convention was met with criticisms and objections in both Turkey and around the world, the Communications Directorate of the Presidency released a written statement about the issue on March 22.

"As known, Turkey was the first signatory to the Istanbul Convention," the statement noted, arguing that the "İstanbul Convention, originally intended to promote women's rights, was hijacked by a group of people attempting to normalize homosexuality – which is incompatible with Turkey's social and family values. Hence the decision to withdraw."

The protests are still ongoing. (EMK/SD)