After reading the news about the cancellation of the Istanbul Convention for the first time under the title “Turkey has withdrawn from a human rights convention for the first time in its history!” at the link https://serbestiyet.com/featured/analiz-turkiye-tarihinde-ilk-defa-bir-insan-haklari-sozlesmesinden-ayrildi-54524/?utm_source=Gazete&utm_campaign=0bbb63495c-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2021_03_21_06_54&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_c6ffa0ef47-0bbb63495c-203076100 , I read another piece of heart-warming news this time: Prof. Uğur Şahin and his wife Dr. Özlem Türeci, the Turkish founders of BioNTech, which discovered the first vaccine against coronavirus, were awarded the Order of Merit, Germany’s highest state medal. You can find this news at https://www.hurriyet.com.tr/dunya/sahin-ve-tureciye-buyuk-onur-nisani-41767380 . German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier presented the couple with their awards at a ceremony held at Bellevue Palace. German Chancellor Angela Merkel was also present. At the ceremony, Steinmeier quoted Irish author Oscar Wilde, saying, “The future belongs to those who recognize the possible before it becomes apparent.” He added, “A vaccine has no nationality. It is neither German nor Turkish.”
A photo from the awards ceremony in Germany. We are proud.
After reading the two news items back-to-back, the problem of brain drain immediately came to mind. I had previously written an article titled, “What would happen if the couple who discovered the vaccine worked in Turkey?” You can read this article at https://www.serhansuzer.com/tr/asiyi-bulan-cift-turkiye-sartlarinda-calissa-neler-olurdu .
Violence makes the difficult impossible.
In this article, I explain that the couple’s future was opened in every way due to the environment and opportunities provided in Germany, and that it was very unlikely they would achieve the same success if they stayed in Turkey. I’m saying it’s unlikely, not impossible. Despite all the challenges, I believe there can be significant scientific advancements in Turkey.
However, violence makes a difficult task impossible. Do you think young scientists with high potential want to remain in an unsafe environment where thousands of women are subjected to violence every day, and where women are routinely murdered?
Wouldn’t our women, who love their country deeply and strive to contribute to science in Turkey despite all the difficulties and hardships, eventually say, “Enough is enough. I don’t want to stay in my country, where I don’t feel safe. I have no choice but to continue my career in another country with much better opportunities”? They say.
The natural consequence: An increase in brain drain
Brain drain has been on the rise in recent years. Many of our valued people are moving from our homeland to other countries. This situation is deeply distressing. The only way to bring them back is to establish an environment of trust in our country, establish a complete rule of law, and provide opportunities for them to continue their work freely.
The Istanbul Convention partially provided this environment. I believe it wasn’t perfect, but it was an important step in creating a society where women can feel safe. You can find the full text of the Istanbul Convention at https://rm.coe.int/1680462545 . You can also find my blog post about the Istanbul Convention at https://www.serhansuzer.com/tr/kadinlarin-haykirisi-challengeaccepted.
In this article, I stated that some things shouldn’t be expected solely from the state to prevent violence, and that important responsibilities also fall on civil society organizations, the private sector, and individuals. I listed the steps to be taken under the following headings:
1) Education
2) Criminal Procedure
3) Technology
4) Media
5) Economic Development
6) Involving our people in production
7) Instilling a positive culture
8) Proactive Approach
9) Curious about the Bad Boy
10) Women Starting to Educate Their Fellow Women and Men in the Right Direction
You can also read my other articles on women and violence:
https://www.serhansuzer.com/tr/birlesik-hosgoru-toplumundan-siddetistana
https://www.serhansuzer.com/tr/bayandan-kadina-esitlik-mucadelesinde-laftan-otesi-
https://www.serhansuzer.com/tr/istismara-dair-yasa-teklifinin-dusundurdukleri
https://www.serhansuzer.com/tr/turkiyede-kadina-siddetin-neden-onune-gecilemiyor
https://www.serhansuzer.com/tr/toplumda-kadinin-yeri
While we’re at it, let’s share the ruling party’s responses to the annulment of the Istanbul Convention, whose full name is “The Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence,” which entered into force on 1 August 2014:
Fatma Betül Sayan, a deputy chair of the AK Party, stated that they are planning and have begun work on a new initiative she calls the ‘Ankara Agreement’ to replace the Istanbul Convention. Presidential Communications Director Fahrettin Altun said, “Our government will work with all its might to end violence against women. The Istanbul Convention will be revived.” Interior Minister Süleyman Soylu argued, “It is not the existence of the Istanbul Convention that makes us responsible to society.” Justice Minister Abdülhamit Gül argued that authority lies with the executive. AK Party Chairman’s Advisor Yasin Aktay stated that he is not against the Istanbul Convention, adding, “There was a perception that the Convention protects homosexuals, and that’s why it was withdrawn.” We were the first to sign and pioneer the convention. Yet, Turkey was the first to sign the convention, which has been ratified and entered into force by 34 of the 47 member states of the Council of Europe. Turkey was the first to withdraw. It was also the first country in history to withdraw from a human rights convention. Consequently, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs Josep Borrell reacted strongly to Turkey’s withdrawal from the Istanbul Convention. While von der Leyen did not directly criticize Turkey in her message, Borrell called the decision “incomprehensible” and urged Ankara to reverse its decision. Details bu linkte okuyabilirsiniz:
Acar: “I can’t believe this point we’ve reached.”
Prof. Feride Acar, who was part of the team that drafted the Istanbul Convention, which Turkey withdrew its signature from by presidential decree, said, “I can’t believe this point we’ve reached. 2011 was a great year for us. Turkey even convinced countries that had reservations.” You can read the details at https://tr.sputniknews.com/aksam_postasi/202103221044089534-istanbul-sozlesmesinin-mimarlarindan-prof-acar-geldigimiz-noktaya-inanabilirsiniz-evrende-baska-bir /.
After the Istanbul Convention was annulled, this decision was protested in many provinces, and continued to be. According to a MetroPOLL survey conducted in July last year, 64% of Turkey disapproves of withdrawing from the convention. According to 17%, the convention should be withdrawn.
Based on these results, why does most of the Turkey demand the retention of the Istanbul Convention? The reason is simple. Its content is essential: The Convention is based on the principle of “gender equality.” The Istanbul Convention aims to protect women from all forms of violence and discrimination, promote gender equality, design a comprehensive framework, policies, and measures for these purposes, and foster international cooperation.
Some definitions in the Convention
The definition of “violence against women” in the Convention includes all forms of physical, sexual, psychological, or economic violence, threats of violence, and discrimination, whether occurring “in public or private life.”
The Istanbul Convention defines “domestic violence” as “within the family or within the family unit, or between current or former spouses or cohabitants, whether or not they share the same residence with the victim or have shared it before.”
It is stated that the Convention may apply to girls under the age of 18. Gülsüm Kav, a representative of the We Will Stop Femicide Platform, explains the agreement in four articles:
1) Prevention
2) Protection
3) Prosecution
4) Policy
You can read the details at the links below:
https://twitter.com/kapsul_news/status/1373258080151085058
http://esitlikadaletkadin.org/gulsum-kavdan-dort-maddede-istanbul-sozlesmesi/
Women’s development means the development of the country.
If women in Turkey have a higher education level, a secure environment, and opportunities, they will achieve incredible things. I have no doubt about that. Considering that mothers are generally the ones raising children, women’s development means the development of the country. Let’s not forget this. Therefore, the necessary steps must be taken as soon as possible, and an environment where women feel comfortable must be provided.
Once this is done, I hope that opportunities will be provided and the number of women scientists on Özlem Türeci’s scale will increase in the country. I wish this not only in science, but also in every field, such as the arts and sports.
In the early years of the Republic, the rights granted to women created an environment of trust and enabled their development, and Turkey has developed in every field. Today, almost a century later, why should we step back from this path?
Tag: memoir
