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Iranian refugees face deportation over protest against Turkish withdrawal from Istanbul Convention

Iranian refugees face deportation over protest against Turkish withdrawal from Istanbul Convention
Three Iranian refugees who were arrested after attending demonstrations against Turkey's withdrawal from the Istanbul Convention could be deported, according to their lawyer.
2 min read
09 February, 2022
Turkey's withdrawal from the Istanbul Convention sparked protests across the country last year [Getty]

Three refugees could be deported from Ìýfor attending a women's rightsÌýprotest last year over Ankara'sÌý, The Guardian reported on Wednesday.

Lily Faraji, Zeinab Sahafi and Ismail Fattahi were arrested after attendingÌý, whichÌýcombats femicide and domestic abuse,Ìýin Turkey's southern city of Denizli in March last year.

The controversial withdrawal Ìýas the pact requiresÌýgovernments to adopt legislation linked to the prosecution of crimes including marital rape andÌýfemale genital mutilation.Ìý The pact is signed byÌý45 countries and the European Union.

"They were taken from their homes because they joined in the Istanbul convention protests," Buse Bergamali, the refugees' lawyer, told The Guardian, statingÌýthat the three were charged with "disturbing public order"Ìýand "participating in unlawful demonstrations".

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The lawyer added there was "no indication in the court decision" that they cannot be sent back to Iran,Ìýdespite being grantedÌýconditional refugee status.ÌýTurkish authorities ruled earlier this month that Iranian dissidents could be deported.

Turkey's withdrawal from theÌýworld's first treaty toÌýprevent and combat violence against women drew widespreadÌý from women's rights groups who saidÌýthe decision would put women at a larger risk of violence.

The decision also drew criticism from Western leaders, including US President Joe Biden, and UN rights chief Michelle Bachelet.

"[The withdrawal] represents a significant step backwards in Turkey's efforts to advance women's rights, especially given that gender inequality and gender-based violence against women remain a serious concern in Turkish society," a statement from Bachelet's officeÌýsaid at the time.

Turkey's highest administrative court also rejected an attempt to annul the withdrawal, saying that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had the authorityÌýto make the decision.

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