RT.com
26 Nov 2021, 05:42 GMT+10
Turkish riot police unleashed tear gas to disperse a large crowd of demonstrators protesting violence against women in Istanbul, as well as the government's withdrawal from an international treaty devoted to combating it.
The massive group of protesters, reportedly numbering in the thousands, marched to Istanbul's Taksim Square on Thursday to mark the 'International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.' They met a heavy police presence in the square, which was barricaded off by officers clad in heavy riot gear, who proceeded to fire tear gas on the crowd after ordering it to disperse.
Scuffles with police were captured in videos circulating online, showing officers moving in on the demonstrators to clear them from the area as tear gas wafts through the air.
Protesters were also seen carrying a colorful assortment of signs and banners, some even toting flares, while others chanted anti-government slogans and demanded an end to what's been dubbed by some activists as 'femicide.' Some 345 women in Turkey have been killed in acts of gender-based violence so far this year, just shy of the 410 reported in 2020, according to 'We Will Stop Femicide,' a women's rights group.
The protest, which was mirrored on a smaller scale in other cities across the country, comes after the Turkish government formally withdrew from an international treaty meant to address violence against women in July. Known as the Istanbul Convention, the pact was originally negotiated in the same city in 2011, but President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's decision to pull out of the deal has been sharply criticized both by local activists as well as foreign leaders, with US President Joe Biden dubbing the move "deeply disappointing."
Ankara, for its part, claimed the convention had been "hijacked" by "people attempting to normalize homosexuality," which it said was "incompatible with Turkey's social and family values." Nonetheless, the government insisted it would not "give up on its fight against domestic violence" and would "continue protecting the safety and the rights of all women."
(RT.com)
Get a daily dose of Sports Sun news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Sports Sun.
More Information(Photo credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images) The New York Yankees claimed right-hander Rico Garcia off waivers from the crosstown...
(Photo credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images) The American League and National League announced their lineups for Tuesday's All-Star...
(Photo credit: Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images) San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama has recovered from the blood clot issue that...
(Photo credit: Jordan Godfree-Imagn Images) The College Football Playoff could remain at 12 teams if the Southeastern Conference...
(Photo credit: SARAH PHIPPS/THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY NETWORK) LSU transfer wide receiver Nic Anderson spent one night in a hospital...
(Photo credit: Chet Peterman / Special to The Post / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images) Former NFL quarterback Teddy Bridgewater...
(Photo credit: SARAH PHIPPS/THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY NETWORK) LSU transfer wide receiver Nic Anderson spent one night in a hospital...
(Photo credit: Chet Peterman / Special to The Post / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images) Former NFL quarterback Teddy Bridgewater...
(Photo credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images) San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jauan Jennings is seeking a new contract or a trade,...
(Photo credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images) John Elway will not be charged in the April incident in which his longtime business partner...
Washington DC [US], July 14 (ANI): Actress and model Olivia Culpo welcomed her first baby with her husband, Christian McCaffrey. The...
(Photo credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images) Heavyweight Derrick Lewis needed only 35 seconds to end the undefeated run of Tallison...