A Turkish politician has slammed the government for violating the rights of millions of women who prefer to observe the Islamic dress code.\n<\/p>\n
Fatma Bostan Unsal, who’s one of the founders of the ruling Justice and Development Party back in 2001, said over 13 million hijab-wearing women are barred from contesting the parliamentary elections.\n<\/p>\n
She said any talk about Turkey\u00e2\u201e\u00a2s progressive democracy would be futile while millions of women cannot be elected as parliament members.\n<\/p>\n
Last week, 57 female journalists, academicians, politicians and artists issued a letter, calling for all restrictions on the Islamic dress code to be lifted.\n<\/p>\n
In Turkey, women with headscarves are banned from working in the public sector, including schools, universities, courtrooms and other public buildings.\n<\/p>\n
The government\u00e2\u201e\u00a2s ban on hijab has outraged Muslims who constitute over 90 percent of the country\u00e2\u201e\u00a2s population.\n<\/p>\n
Several protests have been held across the country to force the government to lift the controversial ban. Turkish citizens believe the majority of the population is not allowed religious freedoms.\n<\/p>\n
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