Latvian parliament, Saeima, approves the Istanbul Convention
In a significant move towards combating gender-based violence, the Saeima, Latvia's parliament, has voted in favour of ratifying the Istanbul Convention. The decision, which was made by a majority vote, places Latvia among the remaining six Member States of the European Union yet to ratify the convention.
The five-hour debate on the Istanbul Convention, which aims to protect women from all forms of violence and promote effective equality between women and men, saw the government-forming coalition securing a slight lead with the votes of 52 members present. The political party that supported the ratification in the last session on Thursday, November 30, gave a majority of 30 votes.
However, the decision has not been without controversy. Ainārs Šlesers, leader of Latvia First, accused the Greens and Farmers Union faction of treason in supporting the Istanbul Convention. Meanwhile, Ramona Petraviča (Latvia First) defended adherence to stereotypes about gender roles, stating that 'Latvian culture relies on them'.
Several opposition politicians criticised the decision by coalition MPs to view the Istanbul Convention without interruption. MP Linda Matisone from the United List argued that the laws of Latvia already set everything in the Istanbul Convention in law, while the rest is a failure of the country.
The Istanbul Convention encourages inter-institutional cooperation with non-governmental organizations, civil society, and the media. It also stresses the need to compile statistics on cases of violence against women and domestic violence.
Two years ago, the Constitutional Court found the Istanbul Convention compatible with the Latvian Constitution. However, Matisone also drew attention to the fact that although the government already signed the Istanbul Convention in 2016, there is still no first watch center for victims of sexual violence in Latvia.
The motion to postpone viewing the Istanbul Convention was rejected by a majority of Members. The Ministry of Welfare added an explanatory Annex to the convention, stating that the term 'social gender' is not related to the obligation to introduce a new understanding of gender in the Latvian legal and educational system.
Countries that ratify the Istanbul Convention should develop a coherent policy on violence against women and domestic violence. The opposition of the Saeima continues to object to the progress of this document, but with the ratification vote now passed, Latvia moves one step closer to joining the majority of European Union countries in its commitment to ending gender-based violence.
Read also:
- Overweight women undergoing IVF have a 47% higher chance of conceiving naturally post-weight loss
- Bonsai Trees from Evergreen Species: Exploring Growth Characteristics & Distinct Qualities
- What temperatures may make walking your canine companion uncomfortable?
- Title: Information About Beovu: Potency, Form, Usage, and Additional Details
