HDP files case against İstanbul Convention exit

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The Women's Assembly of the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) has applied to the Council of State, demanding the annulment of the presidential decision withdrawing Turkey from the İstanbul Convention, a Council of Europe treaty on combating violence against women.

Speaking to reporters in front of the Council of State before submitting the party's application, HDP Women's Assembly Spokesperson Ayşe Acar-Başaran said: "Today, we are here to see how the judiciary will take a stance against unlawfulness.

"For a year, mouthpieces of the government have been targeting the gains of women. The most important of these gains is the İstanbul Convention.

"The convention wasn't a gift from the government to women. It is a right earned after women's joint struggle. We believe that there are still lawyers that believe in the law."

President and Justice and Development Party (AKP) Chair Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on March 20 issued a decision in question for the "termination of the contract with regards to Turkey" on March 20.

The legal validity of the president's abrupt move has been questioned as critics point out that the convention was ratified by the parliament and a parliamentary decision is needed to withdraw from it.

Erdoğan, however, says it's under his authority to terminate the convention, citing a previous presidential decree.

Previously, the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), its ally İYİ (Good) Party and the Democracy and Progress (DEVA) Party applied to the Council of State for the annulment of the presidential decision in question. (EMK/VK)