Europe criticizes the withdrawal of the Turkish regime from the Convention on the Protection of Women

On March 21st, the High Representative for Security and Foreign Policy in the European Union Joseph Borrell criticized the withdrawal of Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s regime from the Istanbul Convention. 

The Convention aims to protect women from domestic violence and promote gender equality.

Erdogan’s regime announced its withdrawal from the Convention, claiming that “domestic laws, not external solutions, will protect women’s rights in Turkey. 

Borrell expressed deep regret for this decision, which endangers the protection of women and girls in Turkey and their basic rights and sends a dangerous message around the world. 

In turn, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen tweeted: “Women deserve a strong legal framework to protect them.” 

She called on all signatories to the Convention to implement it.  

France and Germany condemned Ankara’s decision on the Convention. 

The French Foreign Ministry said: “This step represents a new regression with regard to respect for human rights and that this decision will primarily affect Turkish women.”

The German Foreign Ministry considered that this decision is based on “neither cultural nor religious traditions.” 

O. al-Mohammad