Turkish police arrest dozens during International Women’s Day protest in Istanbul

ISTANBUL — On International Women’s Day, Turkish police arrested dozens of women during a nighttime demonstration in Istanbul that drew an estimated 3,000 participants. The protest, which called for women’s rights and equality, took place under heightened security measures.

Although the march concluded peacefully, tensions escalated afterward as police began arresting participants. Eyewitness videos captured officers forcibly detaining women, leading to approximately 200 arrests. Authorities have not yet provided an official statement regarding the detentions.

Arzu Çerkezoğlu, head of the DISK labor union, spoke passionately about the ongoing struggle for democracy and equality in Turkey. She called for an end to violence against women and urged the government to reinstate the Istanbul Convention, an international treaty designed to combat violence against women and protect their rights. Turkey controversially withdrew from the convention in 2021.

Since Turkey’s withdrawal, at least 1,318 women have been killed by men, according to the rights organization “We Will Stop Femicide.” This alarming figure underscores the urgent need for stronger protections and advocacy for women’s rights in the country.

The Istanbul demonstration was part of a larger global movement marking International Women’s Day, with similar protests and calls for equality taking place in numerous countries.