People participate in a protest against Turkey's withdrawal from Istanbul Convention, an international accord designed to protect women, in Ankara, Turkey March 20, 2021. REUTERS/Cagla GurdoganTurkey has withdrawn from a European treaty protecting women from violence that it was the first to sign 10 years ago and that bears the name of its largest city. The Istanbul Convention states that men and women have equal rights and obliges state authorities to take steps to prevent gender-based violence against women, protect victims and prosecute perpetrators. Rights groups say violence against and killing of women is on the rise in Turkey but the interior minister called that a “complete lie”. Advocacy group Women’s Coalition Turkey said the withdrawal from a human rights agreement was a first in Turkey.

Source: Irish Independent March 20, 2021 15:45 UTC