In the event where the Association for Supporting Women Candidates (KA.DER) met with the European Parliament Turkey Rapporteur Nacho Sanchez-Amor, a situation assessment was made after Turkey’s decision to withdraw from the Istanbul Convention.
Nacho Sanchez-Amor, the European Parliament’s Turkey Rapporteur, met with the Association for Supporting Women Candidates. After the decision to withdraw from the Istanbul Convention, the situation was assessed at the event that took place over Zoom.
Sanchez-Amor was elected to the European Parliament as a member of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats Group in 2019. He held major positions on human rights at the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, or OSCE, between 2016 and 2018. He has deep experience of Turkey.
“The alarm bells have been ringing for us women for a very long time”
The event began by stating that, as a result of the decision to withdraw from the Istanbul Convention, which was published in the Official Gazette on March 20th morning and ratified on July 1st, this situation is no longer one of women’s rights, but rather one of democracy’s survival. The adoption of the decision to withdraw from the Istanbul Convention, despite the efforts of all women’s organisations and worldwide backing, was the final blow to the alarm bells that have been sounding for women for a long time, according to KADER President Nuray Karaoğlu.
The European Parliament’s General Assembly also declared that a decision on this matter would be made on July 5th, following a session that covered all developments and pressure on the opposition. Nacho Sanchez-Amor, who is the guest of KA.DER’s event, was among the attendees of the General Assembly.
Turkey’s European Union process
The fact that the President withdrew from an international agreement solely through his own will has a legal dimension to the issue, says Nacho and adds that there is another issue that needs to be evaluated; the complex relationship between the EU and Turkey: “There are pieces to be put together, and understanding this relationship is trying to put the pieces of the Istanbul Convention together.”
Nacho added that while Turkey is a vital and constant neighbour of Europe, it is also a country that is utterly closed to European principles. Nacho continued, “Being a candidate country means approaching the European Union from all aspects; legislation, values, principles, and more. The procedure entails conforming the standards of the applicant country to those of the EU. Turkey, on the other hand, has recently diversified rather than converged in all areas.”
“Turkish society will decide whether Turkey will be a democratic country or not”
Stating that the European Union has no moral obligation to oblige Turkey to democracy, Nacho said that this decision belongs to the Turkish society; “Turkish society should decide whether Turkey will become a democratic country or not.”
Nacho stressed that the decision to withdraw from the Istanbul Convention has become part of the agenda, particularly in light of the July 15 coup attempt, and Turkish citizens have a choice. Democracy or a powerful regional player? He also expressed his sadness at the decision to withdraw from the Istanbul Convention following the coup.
The Turkey Rapporteur stated that they anticipate present policies to be reversed in actual terms, noting that the European Union is following Turkey, which has drifted away from the democratic road, with deep sadness. Nacho stated that the reason for this expectation is not solely due to EU penalties and expectations, but that Turkey’s decision to go on a true reform and European route will bring great happiness and luck to the country. He also emphasised that, beginning with politics, he supports the restoration of Turkey’s previous open and vibrant civil society. And he concluded by saying that they are waiting for the facts that could show that Turkey has decided differently and is back on the official path, the path of true democracy and the path of EU values.