Turkey Officially Withdrawn from the Istanbul Convention

Last March, the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence, also known as the Istanbul Convention, was abolished by the Presidency. The Council of Europe and the United Nations did not approve of this decision, which had a great impact in our country and was opposed by everyone who knew the value of the contract, to Turkey to reconsider the decision. had advised.

This decision was expected to change or take a step back for a long time, but unfortunately, as of July 1, Turkey has withdrawn from the Istanbul Convention, which aims to prevent violence against women, including domestic violence. officially has separated. Subsequently, the decision was repeatedly appealed and the case appealed.

Decision found “lawful”

The decision made upon appeals and objections was moved to the Council of State Administrative Case Divisions. IDDK, the final decision maker, made its decision to withdraw from the contract in its statement today. “lawful” and finally upheld the decision. “In terms of power and form elements in the Presidential decision, which is the subject of the case, no violation of the law.“, on January 2, 2023, Turkey officially Withdrawn from the Istanbul Convention.

Why is the Istanbul Convention important?

Turkey was included in the Istanbul Convention in May 2011, which included countries such as France, Germany and Belgium. The main purpose of this contract is to combating violence against women. Thanks to this convention, zero tolerance for violence against women and the family is shown. changing the minds of pro-violent individuals is intended. Crimes covered by the Convention include physical, sexual, psychological and economic violence, stalking for harassment, forced marriage, rape, female genital mutilation and forced abortion or sterilization.

Another goal of this agreement, which is to eliminate the inequality between men and women, is of vital importance for women living in our country. At least like us, you witness the attacks and murders against women every day in our country. women’s greatest hope Unfortunately, the Istanbul Convention will no longer be valid in our country as of today.

Why did Turkey decide to leave the Istanbul Convention?

One of the biggest aims of the Istanbul Convention, which was signed by 45 countries and the European Union, was to eliminate the inequality against different gender identities. As you know, people with different gender identities are trying to be excluded from the society as well as women in our country, and especially recently, LGBTI individuals have been accused of not being suitable for religion and culture. undeserved treatment he was seeing.

One of the biggest reasons for Turkey’s exit from the Istanbul Convention is the lack of concepts such as sexual orientation and gender identity in the convention. Not suitable for Turkish family structure was the thought. One of the biggest reasons given for the annulment decision was that the Istanbul Convention paved the way for same-sex marriage.

In addition to all these, Zehra Zümrüt Selçuk, Minister of Family, Labor and Social Services, said that Turkey’s mission to protect women It does not need the Istanbul Convention.the legal system in our country from a foreign contract more powerful and dynamic expressed.