The Militant (logo)

Vol. 76/No. 24      June 18, 2012

 
Demonstrations in Turkey
defend abortion rights

Between 3,000 and 4,000 march June 3 in Istanbul to protest Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s announcement that his government is preparing legislation to curb abortion rights. Among the banners and slogans were “My body, my choice” and “Tayyip, it is none of your business.” Hundreds also demonstrated in Ankara, Turkey’s capital.

Abortion up to 10 weeks from conception has been legal in Turkey since 1983. The new bill would criminalize it after four weeks, according to the Washington Post.

Erdogan has also come out against caesarean births, saying they limit women from having more than two children. He advocates every family should have at least three and has suggested financial incentives, warning if fertility rates among Turks don’t increase, Kurds—an oppressed nationality—could become the majority within 30 years.

—EMMA JOHNSON

 
 
 
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