As Movement for Unconditional Justice this week on March 8, International Women’s Day, have expressed the human rights violations against women and statistics about women in Turkey.
- Although March 8, International Women’s Day is a day devoted to the celebration of women’s economic, political and social achievements on the basis of human rights, every year violations of human rights against women are brought to the agenda and the search for solutions to these violations are discussed intensely.
- Behind the violence against women, there is a huge cultural, bureaucratic and legal structure and the ECtHR sometimes hesitates in treating violence as a problem of equality and discrimination by ignoring this structure.
- It is seen very important for women that the ECtHR guarantees fundamental rights and freedoms. With the Opuz Decision in 2009, the ECtHR has developed a positive case law that acknowledges that violence against women is systematic and stems from gender inequality. The Istanbul Convention, which was opened for signature after this decision, is a very important step taken in terms of combating violence against women. With this convention also aims to prevent gender discrimination and to ensure that the principle of equality between women and men is included in practice.
- Discriminatory judicial passivity and tolerance in Turkey support violence against women. Unfortunately, in today’s Turkey physical, psychological and sexual violence result in dead. The women scream “I don’t want to die” and this cry is ignored. The released murderers are encouraged and continue to inflict violence on thousands of women. Turkey in combating violence against women does not show a positive development and crown it all, it is also considering to withdraw from the Istanbul Convention. Withdrawal from the contract is a clear indication of irresoluteness and it means “we don’t care if women die.”.
- Femicide in Turkey has increased significantly compared to previous years. A total of 3185 women Between 2008 and 2019, 300 women in 2020 were killed by men and 171 women were found suspiciously dead.
- In order to prevent discrimination against women and to ensure gender equality, the Istanbul Convention needs to be implemented effectively. Violence at home, at work and in all areas of social life must be prevented.
Women will not give up their rights and your lives. As Movement for Unconditional Justice, we will continue to defend these rights.