Özlem Zengin, the deputy chair of the ruling Justice and Development Party’s (AKP) parliamentary group, said on Friday that she had been facing organised and planned attacks whenever she objects to her party members’ complaints on laws in place for eliminating violence against women. The politician, along with Derya Yanık, the Minister of Family and Social Services, countered the AKP members’ and supporters’ fury again this week for upholding the Law no. 6284 on the Protection of Family and Prevention of Violence Against Women. The law, which has been targeted by an Islamist backlash for several years, came into the public’s attention this week after the New Welfare Party (YRP) demanded abolishing the law as a prerequisite for entering into an election alliance with the AKP.

“We are very lonely. Nobody wants to engage in discussions on this issue as you become a target,” Zengin told the pro-government television channel A Haber on Friday.

The politician, along with Derya Yanık, the Minister of Family and Social Services, countered the AKP members’ and supporters’ fury again this week for upholding the Law no. 6284 on the Protection of Family and Prevention of Violence Against Women. The law, which has been targeted by an Islamist backlash for several years, came into the public’s attention this week after the New Welfare Party (YRP) demanded abolishing the law as a prerequisite for entering into an election alliance with the AKP.

“We are very lonely. Nobody wants to engage in discussions on this issue as you become a target,” Zengin told the pro-government television channel A Haber on Friday.

When asked whether such attacks came from the opposition, Zengin said, “No”.

“I do not want to say even a single word about this law anymore. I am tired. I am tired of being left alone, I am feeling sad when evaluating the disputation our community is in,” Zengin said, referring to AKP members and supporters.