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# Istanbul protestors demand LGBTQ+ and women’s rights
- URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/istanbul-protestors-demand-lgbtq-and-womens-rights/
- Published: 2021-03-29T16:45:07.000Z
- Updated: 2021-03-29T11:52:40.000Z
- Description: Hundreds gathered in Istanbul to protest against the withdrawal from a treaty to protect women from violence.
- Author: Rachel Badham
- Tags: News, Politics, Andrzej Duda, Istanbul, LGBTQ, LGBTQ+ rights, Poland, Same Sex Marriage, Turkey, Women's Rights

![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/turkey-protests-600-400.jpg)

Hundreds gathered in **Istanbul, Turkey** **,** on Saturday to protest against president **Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s** recent decision to withdraw from a treaty to protect women from violence on the basis it also *“normalises homosexuality”.* According to [*The Independent*](https://www.independent.co.uk/news/women-lgbt-people-and-students-protest-for-rights-in-turkey-lgbt-community-istanbul-recep-tayyip-erdogan-council-of-europe-b1823391.html?ref=scenemag.co.uk), around 1,000 turned up to demand greater rights for women and the LGBTQ+ community, with a protestor saying: *“Unfortunately, in Turkey today, if you are an LGBTQ+ person or a woman, it’s very difficult for justice to be on your side…we are making noise to not give up on our rights.”*

![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/recep-tayyip-erdogan-2-1.jpg)

Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Some protestors also attended to demand the release of 12 students who were detained after displaying rainbow flags at **Bogazici University**, the majority of whom have now been released. President Erdogan has a history of anti-LGBTQ+ policies, [saying in 2020](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/turkish-president-condemns-lgbtq-youth/) that queer people are *“sneaking up on our national and spiritual values”* and trying to *“poison young people”.* He encouraged Turkish authorities and citizens to oppose any acts of tolerance towards the LGBTQ+ community.

![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/turkey-lgbt-1.jpg)

A Pride parade in Turkey

Poland also pulled out of the international treaty to protect women, after the country’s parliament requested president **Andrzej Duda** not attend the treaty conference in Istanbul. Instead, the Polish government is drafting an [alternative treaty](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/poland-planning-treaty-to-ban-abortion-and-same-sex-marriage/) which would aim to ban abortion and same-sex marriage, as well as erase trans identities. LGBTQ+ activists have expressed concern over this, with left-wing Polish MP **Marcelina Zawisza** saying authorities are determined to reinforce ‘traditional family values’ at the cost of LGBTQ+ and women’s rights.