Istanbul - Campaign Group demanding the implementation of the Istanbul Convention came together in Istanbul’s Yoğurtçu Park on the 34th year of the “Solidarity March Against Violence” initiated by feminist women in 1987 in Turkey. The women tied purple ribbons around the trees and held an exhibition of photographs of the demonstrations that took place in 1987. “We have hardly gained our rights since the march took place, and we have no intention to give up them,” says the banner carried by women.

“We rose up and have never returned home since then”

Feride Eralp made a speech during the women’s meeting in the Yoğurtçu Park. She recalled that women came together in the Yoğurtçu Park 34 years ago for their rights, the first women’s mass protest against domestic violence in Turkey. “Women said ‘we don’t want a paradise where violence breaks out’. Since then, many women’s protests have taken place in Turkey. We rose up and left our houses and we have never returned. We have faced attacks; we have resisted men and male-state trying to seize our rights.”

Women shouted “Jin Jiyan Azadi” slogan

After the speech of Feride Eralp, women shouted slogans such as, “Our rights are ours, our lives are ours, our struggle is ours, Istanbul Convention is ours”, “We don’t give up on the Istanbul Convention”, “Shout to stop male violence” and “Jin Jiyan Azadi (Women, Life, Freedom)”. 

“We don’t give up on each other” 

Nupelda Çelik made a statement on the behalf of the campaign group. “Our rights, our lives have been usurped, the killers of Yeldana, Nadira, Gülistan have been protected with impunity,” Nupelda said, emphasizing that women have hardly gained their rights, “We have no intention to give up our gained rights. We don’t recognize the decision to withdraw from the Istanbul Convention. We don’t remain silent against their efforts to legitimate LGBTI + phobia. We don’t give up on our rights and each other.”

“We will take to the streets until July 1”

Nupelda Çelik also emphasized that the Istanbul Convention will expire on July 1, “Our response to this is our disobedience and solidarity. We believe that we will prevail no matter what happens. The struggle started by feminist women 34 years ago has now turned into an avalanche. Our rights are ours, our lives are ours, our struggle is ours, Istanbul Convention is ours. We don’t give up our rights to an equal and free life. We will take to the streets until July 1 for the Istanbul Convention.”