Turkey has given up on an international agreement that aims to protect women from violence, according to several reports.
Turkey left the Istanbul Convention, Bloomberg News reported, citing a decree published in the official gazette of the nation. The convention is a Council of Europe treaty aimed at preventing domestic violence and abuse against women.
The convention has a total of 46 signatories, according to its location on the Internet network, including 45 countries and the European Union. Turkey signed the convention in 2011 and ratified it in 2012.
Of the Council of Europe General Secretary Marija Pejčinović Burić said in a statement that the The Istanbul Convention covers 34 European countries and is widely regarded as the gold standard in international efforts to protect women and girls from the violence they face every day in our societies. ”
“This change is a major setback for these efforts and even more deplorable because it undermines the protection of women in Turkey, across Europe and beyond,” said Burić.
The notice in the Official Gazette did not provide a reason why Turkey left the convention. Yet, Reported by Reuters that divided President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s ruling party and his family.
Conservatives in Turkey also felt that the deal undermined family structures and that their non-discrimination based on sexual orientation promoted homosexuality, Reuters noted.
The United Nations office in Turkey said in a statement who was “deeply concerned” about Turkey’s decision, adding that he urged Turkey to “continue to protect and promote the security and rights of all women and girls, including remaining committed to the full implementation of the Istanbul Convention”.