Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) female deputies joined European politicians in an online meeting to discuss Turkey’s withdrawal from the Istanbul Convention, reports the Mesopotamia News Agency.
As the HDP continues meetings with various organisations and institutions regarding the annulment of the treaty, female deputies met with politicians from Europe, including Council of Europe Equality and Anti-Discrimination Commission (PACE) President Petra Bayer, European Socialists Party (PES) Woman Spokesperson Zita Gurmai, Swedish Left Party Deputy Women’s Equality Commissioner Jallow Malcolm, European Socialists Party Vice-President Katrine Skov and European Socialists Party Local Government Member Sanchia Alasia.
HDP Women’s Council Spokesperson Ayşe Acar Başaran, Women’s Diplomacy Commission Spokesperson and Middle East Desk Co-Spokesperson Gülistan Kılıç Koçyiğit, Foreign Relations Commission Co-Spokesperson Feleknas Uca, female parliamentarians from the HDP, and members of the HDP Women’s Council, Rosa Women’s Association members and Free Women’s Movement (TJA) activists also attended the meeting.
Ayse Acar Başaran gave detailed information to the European politicians regarding the situation of women in Turkey and pointed out that the withdrawal from the treaty should not be seen as unique.
“We should think of it in relation to attacks against women’s progress and oppressive politics against women all around the world,” she said.
‘We can force them to step back’
Başaran also said that if women unite and resist against the AKP government, the government might have to step back.
Adalet Kaya from Rosa Women’s Association mentioned that domestic violence against women had increased in the last five years in Turkey and emphasised that the Istanbul Convention was a very important tool in terms of reminding the state of its duties. “That is why we continue to protest the decision everywhere,” she said.
HDP Ankara Deputy Filiz Kerestecioğlu also gave information about their efforts within the Parliament and said, “We women will never give up the Istanbul Convention.”
Gurmai: The withdrawal of the convention is a threat to women’s security
European Socialist Party (PES) Woman Spokesperson Zita Gurmai said that they are concerned about women in Turkey. “The decision to withdraw from the Istanbul Convention is risking the women’s security in Turkey. This is an issue for all women of the world.”
PACE President Petra Bayer also spoke during the meeting and mentioned the attempted closure of the HDP in Turkey. “If Turkey wants to become a member of the European Union it should stop acting like this, it will not happen by withdrawing from the Istanbul Convention and closing a political party that millions voted for,” she said.
