Turkey’s Exit From Convention to Protect Women Triggers Protests
- Reported clashes after police attempts to restrict rallies
- Critics say leaving treaty aimed at appeasing conservatives
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Thousands of people protested Turkey’s formal July 1 withdrawal from an international agreement that seeks to prevent violence against women, condemning a move they say is ultimately intended to appease pious conservatives who support the president.
After the nation’s top administrative court endorsed a March political decision to leave the treaty, riot police late Thursday fired tear gas and prevented demonstrators from marching to Istanbul’s Taksim Square, a symbolic destination for rallies. Protests were also held in several other cities.