Istanbul Convention abandoned to give legitimacy to violence

General-Coordinator of the Syrian Women's Council, Lina Barakat, stated that Turkey's withdrawal from the "Istanbul Convention", in light of the high statistics of violence against women in Turkey is nothing but a legitimization to violence, stressing that the Women Issue is pivotal case worldwide, and that they would support women in Turkey with their rights demands.

5 July, 2021 06:39

QAMISHLO LILAV DIWANI

In the aftermath of the ruling AKP leader Erdogan decision, last March, Turkey formally withdrew on July 1st, from the Istanbul Convention, despite the high statistics of homicide and violence of women released by the "We Will Stop Femicides platform in Turkey last year.

This withdrawal has been widely criticized by international and human rights organizations and has caused widespread controversy and outrage in Turkish circles. On July 3rd, thousands of women protested in Turkey.

General-Coordinator of the Syrian Women's Council, Lina Barakat, noted that the phenomenon of femicides are rising, that the majority of women suffer domestic and social violence in many countries in the world and that international agreements and United Nations resolutions adopted to protect women have not succeeded and have not changed the reality of women as required. "The few victories and achievements of women in gaining their rights are still insufficient compared to the violence against them."

She continued, "According to the statistics of the "We Will Stop Femicides" platform, which exists in a country such as Turkey that claims secularism and respect for human rights, the number of women who lost their lives as a result of domestic violence from a partner reached 300, and 189 others were subjected to domestic violence."

Justification for violence

Lina Barakat pointed out that Turkey's withdrawal from the Istanbul Convention was nothing but to undermine the women will, justification for violations against women and the transformation of Turkey from a secular State to an Islamic one, such as Iran and many radical-minded states, stressing," it's not strange that we find Erdogan supports radicals and armed factions that have committed numerous violations, particularly against women in cities occupied in north and east Syria such as, abduction, rape, murder and mutilation their bodies."

Woman Issue is an integral part

She added," We have a strong relationship with human rights and international organizations for the protection of women's rights, stressing that the issue of women is an integral part, that violence against a woman is a violation of all women and that her role in society has been reduced and restricted in particular place, adding, "We will support women in Turkey with their right demands and protest against Turkey's withdrawal from the Convention."

She stressed on the need to take more effective steps towards violations against women: "The struggle of women is a long struggle and requires a greater struggle and a deeper understanding of women's problems and how to support them. Authoritarian regimes revealed its true face, particularly, during the outbreak of COVID-19, in which, large number of women were victimized by violence. All international conventions and resolutions for the protection of women must be implemented on the ground'', concluding : "We hope that the feminist movement will succeed so that women can truly enjoy their rights until they reach their liberty."

T/S

ANHA