20/04/2023 | Writer: Selma Koçak
Green Left Party İstanbul 2nd district candidate Özgül Saki and Workers’ Party of Turkey (TİP) İstanbul 2nd district candidate Talya Aydın are the first two signatories of the “LGBTI+ Rights Convention” prepared by SPoD.
Social Policies, Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation Studies Association (SPoD), announced the “LGBTI+ Rights Convention” with a meeting held in Postane Beyoğlu, on April 16, Sunday.
In the event, having informed participants about the campaign entitled “Leaving no one behind”, Political Participation Field Coordinator Zarife Akbulut emphasized that the mentioned campaign was for everyone who were devastated by the Kahramanmaraş-centered earthquakes experienced on February 6. Stating that efforts are underway to ensure that LGBTI+s can go to polls safely and in order to protect democratic political spaces during the election process, Akbulut remarked that they were also working to provide LGBTI+ participation and visibility in politics, decision-making and policy-making areas and also to make their voice heard.
Following the campaign's introduction and speeches regarding the convention, parliamentary candidates took the floor. Stating that they are carrying out a policy by adopting the fundamental principles of active and direct democracy, beyond the politics of representation, TİP İstanbul 2nd District candidate Talya Aydın emphasized that there was an ever-increasing attack against fundamental rights and freedoms with the aim of making the fur fly and thus creating an artificial agenda, by the ruling party.
And Green Left Party İstanbul 2nd District MP candidate Özgül Saki emphasized that the parliamentary, which is in a legislative body, had a privileged structure and stated that these privileges should be eliminated. Saki also told that inequalities and oppression deepen within a hierarchical structure, which objectifies human beings, and emphasized the need of a struggle from a perspective that can displace these hierarchies. Stating that being nominated as a candidate is also a part of this struggle, Saki said the parliamentary and candidacy had a great importance in terms of spreading their word. Referring to the historical struggle of feminists for gender quota, Saki emphasized that it was possible to obtain achievement as a result of the independent struggle of feminists and LGBTI+s, and stated that the privilege and hierarchical structure of the parliament could if and only be changed through this struggle.
At the event after the articles of “LGBTI+ Rights Convention” were read out, parliamentary candidates signed the convention.
“LGBTI+ Rights Convention”
LGBTI+ Rights Convention includes promises on working together with the LGBTI+ movement in determining the policy regarding LGBTI+ rights in the parliament and in other political areas, and to formulate necessary policies for LGBTI+s in order to ensure their access to basic public services and to exercise their constitutional rights equally, in case of candidates are elected. There are also some statements that LGBTI+ rights and freedoms will be guaranteed and that they would work to protect, improve and bring LGBTI+ rights into the agenda of the parliament during the legislative period.
For further information about the campaign click here.
Tags: human rights
