Erdoğan says Istanbul Convention withdrawal is a 'done deal' despite global protest

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said that his withdrawal of Turkey from the Istanbul Convention was a "done deal," despite international outrage to the decision. The president withdrew Turkey from the international treaty with a midnight decree on March 20, leading to nationwide protests and international condemnation.

Friday March 26 2021 03:59 pm

Activists hold a banner during a protest against Turkey's withdrawal from Istanbul Convention.

Duvar English

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said that his withdrawal of Turkey from the Istanbul Convention was a "done deal," dismissing critics who say that a presidential decree can't override Ankara's signature on the document, which was passed by parliament.

"The Istanbul Convention withdrawal is entirely legal, the opposition doesn't know the job. We made our call, we left the convention as we entered it. We let them know of our decision, so it's a done deal," the president said on March 26, almost a week after he withdrew Ankara from the treaty.

The Council of Europe should be releasing a statement about Turkey's departure from the convention in three months, the president added.

No reason was provided for the withdrawal in the Official Gazette, where it was announced in the early hours on March 20.

Top government officials have since said domestic law rather than outside fixes would protect women's rights.

The convention, forged in Turkey's biggest city, had split Erdoğan's ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) and even his family. Last year, officials said the government was mulling pulling out amid a row over how to curb growing violence against women.