Dozens detained in Istanbul for demanding women's protection amid rising violence

On November 25, 2024, in Turkey, police detained several dozen people in Istanbul who attempted to participate in a rally intended to highlight the need for enhanced protection of women against violence. The rally coincided with the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, yet it faced a ban on all protests in the area, specifically on the famous Istiklal pedestrian street. Authorities increased security measures, blocking all entrances to Istiklal and Taksim Square, and even closed numerous metro stations to thwart large gatherings. These protests were fueled by widespread outrage over the increasing number of feminicide cases in the country, with the local advocacy group We Will Stop Femicide reporting that 411 women had been murdered in Turkey in 2024 alone. The demonstrators were particularly vocal about President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's withdrawal from the Istanbul Convention in 2021. This European treaty, aimed at safeguarding women from violence, was signed in Istanbul in 2011, but Erdogan's decision to exit came after some members of his ruling party raised concerns that it promoted ideals contrary to traditional family values, including LGBTQ+ rights. Despite calls for Turkey to rejoin the convention, Erdogan has dismissed these requests, asserting his government's dedication to women's protection while downplaying the significance of international treaties designed to prevent violence against women. The ongoing protests reflect a critical and growing discontent with the government's policies on gender-based violence and highlight the urgent need for reform in the country to protect women and ensure their safety.