In the middle of the CSW65 (Commission on the Status of Women) of the United Nations, the direful news broke that the Turkish president Erdogan pulls out from the Istanbul Convention of the Council of Europe. Though clarification is still needed if a presidential decree can overrule decisions by Turkey’s own legislative bodies, it is a very bad omen.
Even in case, the treaty remains valid, it would be of little help for women suffering partner violence, as there is no political will to implement it. In Turkey, there is little protection for women subject to violence, and femicides are often covered up as suicides.
The announcement reflects the reality in most Eastern European countries. Poland and Bulgaria as well have become hostile to the Istanbul Convention. Russia has never even considered adopting it like most states of the ex-Soviet Union. It speaks for itself that also the adopted statement of the CSW65 is a disappointing minimum declaration – upon the pressure of Russia, it seems.
Those countries still have a very traditional view of the place and role of women, which does not match with the specifications of the Istanbul Convention. 50 years ago, also in the Western European countries, the Istanbul Convention would not have found much consensus, when partner violence and partner rape were generally still considered a private matter and were not prosecuted. Before change is possible in the Eastern countries, the mindset of their citizens has to evolve.