Grave setback for human rights in Turkey: Withdrawal from Istanbul Convention
GHRTV1
The Turkish government of President Erdoğan is continuously abolishing human rights protections and democratic norms in Turkey. On March 19, 2021, the president issued the order to withdraw Turkey from the Council of Europe's Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence (known as the Istanbul Convention).
Conservatives criticise that the treaty promotes LGBT+ education and goes against traditional family values. In a written statement, Turkey defends its decision to withdraw from the treaty, holding that it was "hijacked by a group of people attempting to normalize homosexuality". Given the many murders of women in Turkey taking place each year, Erdoğan's move ignores the desperate need to protect women. In response, thousands of women protested in cities across Turkey, demanding government action to combat the increasing problem of domestic violence.
Sources: DW: https://www.dw.com/en/istanbul-convention-how-a-european-treaty-against-womens-violence-became-politicized/a-56953987
