Top Turkish business body calls on gov't to not withdraw from Istanbul Convention

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The Turkish Industry and Business Association (TÜSİAD) has called on the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) to not withdraw from the Istanbul Convention, which aims to combat domestic violence against women.

In a tweet, TÜSİAD said that the convention is a strong promise given to women in Turkey and the world.

"Let's not break this promise," it said in response to the recent debate on withdrawing from the convention.

İstanbul Sözleşmesi, Türkiye ve dünya kadınlarına verilmiş bir söz, güçlü bir taahhüttür.

Bu sözden caymayalım. Şiddet uygulayanları cesaretlendirmeyelim.#İstanbulSözleşmesiYaşatır

— TÜSİAD (@TUSIAD) July 17, 2020

Istanbul Convention is an international convention aimed at preventing violent attacks, protecting victims ending the impunity of perpetrators. Ankara was the first to ratify the convention, as it was also backed by the AKP and its women’s groups.

Istanbul Convention divides ruling AKP as lawmaker asks why it's being challenged after many years

But, Turkey’s conservative and Islamist circles have been criticizing it because they believe that it is damaging family values and challenging conservative understanding of gender identities.

These groups press on the AKP government to withdraw from the convention. Women’s rights groups, on the other hand, urge the government to effectively implement the convention, drawing attention to the growing number of domestic violence cases in the country.

AKP gov't does not rule out possibility of withdrawing from Istanbul Convention