"Implement İstanbul Convention"
Click to read the article in Turkish
Releasing a written statement about the remarks of ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) Vice Chair Numan Kurtulmuş about Turkey's possible withdrawal from the İstanbul Convention, the Human Rights Association (İHD) Women's Commission has noted that they consider such a move to be dangerous as it may lead to an increase in sexist attitudes towards women and incidents of male violence.
Shortly after Kurtulmuş said that the country "might consider withdrawing" from the Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence, the İHD Women's Commission has released a statement entitled "We, women, warn you" and briefly stated the following:
'Turkey was the first signatory of the convention'
"The State of the Republic of Turkey signed this convention as the 'first signatory state,' passed it at the Parliament and, with this convention, it accepted several "obligations' in terms of violence against women.
"Even though this convention was signed by the state, it has not yet been sufficiently implemented and especially judicial authorities have taken a 'distanced' attitude towards the convention.
"In fact, this convention is a combination of the rights acquired by women and LGBTI+ individuals and organizations as a result of their struggle.
"Not only does the convention prohibit any type of discrimination against women, it also recognizes that discrimination against women is a form of violence. No matter in which part of life a woman is subjected to violence, the convention assigns the signatory states with great duties.
'It still provides a legal assurance'
"Very importantly, the Convention's Article 12 on 'General Obligations' in the reminds the parties that 'culture, custom, religion, tradition or so-called 'honour' shall not be considered as justification for any acts of violence.'
"As is known, the State of the Republic of Turkey has recognized international conventions superior to the domestic law with the Article 90 of its Constitution. Having boasted for signing this convention for years, the AKP now considers withdrawing from it.
"In a geography where women and LGBTI+ individuals face such intense violence, İstanbul Convention still provides a legal assurance even though it is not full implemented. The withdrawal from the convention shows that the militaristic and authoritarian mindset behind the violence legitimized by the state will gradually gain more ground."
About İstanbul Convention
* Source: CoE The Council of Europe (CoE) "Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence", also known as "İstanbul Convention", is based on the understanding that violence against women is a form of gender-based violence that is committed against women because they are women. It is the obligation of the state to fully address it in all its forms and to take measures to prevent violence against women, protect its victims and prosecute the perpetrators. As of March 2019, it has been signed by 45 countries and the European Union (EU). On March 12, 2012, Turkey became the first country to ratify the Convention, followed by 33 other countries from 2013 to 2019 (Albania, Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, Estonia, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, the Netherlands, Norway, North Macedonia, Poland, Romania, Portugal, San Marino, Serbia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland). The Convention came into force on 1 August 2014. * Click here to read the full convention |
(AÖ/SD)
