On November 25, women’s organizations and NGOs planned marches across Turkey to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. However, the Istanbul Governorship announced a ban on demonstrations around Taksim Square and nearby areas, citing concerns about potential exploitation by “terror-linked individuals within these groups.”
The Istanbul Governorship, separate from the metropolitan municipality, has imposed a full ban on protests in the Taksim district. Similar restrictions have been enforced every November 25th since 2016, when Taksim, a key area historically linked to major protests, was closed off to demonstrations.
This year’s ban is especially significant, particularly in light of the alarming findings in the Socio-Political Field Research Center’s report for July-September 2024. According to the report, at least 117 women were killed in Turkey in the past three months. The data, collected from sources such as the Socio-Political Field Research Center, Bianet, Jin News, the We Will Stop Femicide Platform, and others, also showed that 110 women died under suspicious circumstances. In addition, 163 women experienced physical violence, 147 were forced into sex work, and 42 were victims of sexual harassment, while three women were raped. Victims’ ages varied, with 8% aged 0-17, 5% aged 18-24, and 6.1% aged 25-34,.though many victims’ ages remain unknown.
Metro Station Closures
In line with the Governorship’s decision,.Metro Istanbul announced the closure of several key metro stations. Stations on the M2 line, including Haliç,.Şişhane, Taksim, Osmanbey, and Şişli/Mecidiyeköy, will remain closed “until further notice.” Additionally, the F1 Taksim-Kabataş Funicular Line will be completely out of service. This shutdown marks a broader response compared to 2023,.when only Şişhane and Taksim stations, along with the Taksim-Kabataş Funicular Line, were closed.
Turkey’s Withdrawal from the Istanbul Convention
Since 1981, November 25 has been observed informally as a day to.combat violence against women, officially recognized in 1999. This year’s protests hold special significance as the second major.demonstration since Turkey withdrew from the Istanbul Convention on July 1, 2021. Protesters continue to chant, “We will not give up on the Istanbul Convention!”
The Istanbul Convention, signed by 45 countries,.was a groundbreaking human rights treaty aimed at preventing violence,. protecting victims, and ending impunity for offenders. Opened for signature in Istanbul on May 11, 2011,.it became a vital tool in the fight against gender-based violence. However, in 2021, Turkey became the first and only country to withdraw from the treaty. The Turkish Presidency justified the withdrawal by claiming the convention was.“hijacked” by a group trying to normalize homosexuality,.which the government argued was incompatible with Turkey’s social and family values.
Since the withdrawal, the We Will Stop Femicide Platform. has reported a sharp increase in suspicious deaths of women, citing. insufficient investigations and legal impunity. Between March 2021 and today, 1,254 women have been found dead under suspicious circumstances.
The Istanbul Convention was the first binding international treaty designed to protect women and. LGBTQI+ individuals from violence. It addressed various forms of abuse, including physical violence, harassment, rape, forced marriage, psychological abuse,. and harmful cultural practices like female genital mutilation and forced abortions. The treaty mandated the legal recognition of gender-based violence as a crime,. the provision of shelters, and psychological and legal support for victims. It also called for a firm commitment to challenge.violence justified by “tradition, honor, or religion.”
Medyascope'un günlük e-bülteni
Andaç'a abone olun
Editörlerimizin derlediği öngörüler, analizler, Türkiye’yi ve dünyayı şekillendiren haberler, Medyascope’un e-bülteni Andaç‘la her gün mail kutunuzda.
