On the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, demonstrators protest against gender-based violence in Istanbul, Turkey

On Friday, police in Istanbul dispersed a rally calling for an end to violence against women and Turkey’s return to a treaty designed to protect them. During the rally, officers detained dozens of protesters.

The demonstrators attempted to march down Istanbul’s main pedestrian street, Istiklal, to commemorate the November 25 International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, despite authorities’ order prohibiting the rally for security and public order reasons.

Protesters were barred from entering streets leading to Istiklal, and groups of protesters were surrounded and apprehended. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan withdrew Turkey from the Council of Europe’s Istanbul Convention last year, prompting condemnation from women’s rights organisations and Western countries.