Seán Haughey (Dublin Bay North, Fianna Fail)
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846. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will express concerns in relation to the recent decision by Turkey to withdraw from the Istanbul Convention relating to the prevention and combating of violence against women and domestic violence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18644/21]

John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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850. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he is prepared to call upon the Turkish Government to reconsider its decision to withdraw from the 2011 Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18710/21]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 846 and 850 together.

I am seriously concerned at the decision of the President of Turkey to withdraw from the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence, otherwise known as the Istanbul Convention. The Convention is the most far-reaching legal instrument to prevent and combat violence against women and domestic violence, as well as to ensure protection for victims and to bring perpetrators to justice. It has had a documented positive effect on the lives of women, children, families and entire communities.

I therefore deeply regret the decision of the President of Turkey to withdraw from the Convention. The decision is incomprehensible, coming as it did on the eve of the tenth anniversary of adoption of the Convention, and at a time of a pandemic when gender-based violence has spiked dramatically all over the world. For the Convention to be willfully undermined by one of its original, signatory States, sends out a disturbing message across Europe.

Ireland has joined others in condemning the decision of Turkey to withdraw and we continue to call on the Turkish Government to reverse this decision. Turkey should instead renew its commitment to the Istanbul Convention and should respect international human rights rules and standards.

The Turkish decision to withdraw from the Convention also comes at a time when EU-Turkey relations are under consideration. As the rule of law and respect of fundamental rights are core values of the EU, we are clear that Turkey will be unable to make substantial progress in its relationship with the EU until it begins to address its internal human rights situation.