Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein)
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I thank the ambassador for his time today. He is most welcome to the committee meeting. I have one question. How does the ambassador reconcile his opening statement with the withdrawal of Turkey from the Istanbul Convention, which set out comprehensive standards for the prevention of violence against women, protection and support for survivors and prosecution of perpetrators, as well as establishing minimum essential support services for victims, such as shelters and medical assistance? I ask for his own view on this and for his opinion on the impact the withdrawal has had on Turkey's international standing and on how women from outside Turkey view Turkey as a safe place for them. I say that as the only female Deputy on this committee. Given that I have researched this and seen over 2,000 cases of femicide reported between 2008 and 2017, which I understand was also echoed in another report by Turkish law enforcement, how can the ambassador reassure the international community and this committee that Turkey is a safe place for women and girls, particularly in light of yesterday being the International Day of the Girl Child?