Latvian Parliament Approves Withdrawal from the Istanbul Convention After Intense Debate

After a lengthy and heated parliamentary session in Latvia, lawmakers have voted in favor of exiting the Istanbul Convention, an international agreement aimed at preventing and combating violence against women and domestic abuse. The decision followed over thirteen hours of deliberation in the 100–seat parliament, resulting in 56 votes in favor, 32 against, and 2 abstentions.

According to Latvia’s public broadcaster LSM, this marks the second vote on the matter following an initial reading the previous week. The decision now awaits approval from President Edgars Rinkevics, who must act within ten days. Although the president has the constitutional right to return the law to parliament for reconsideration, his veto power is limited—if lawmakers reaffirm the decision without amendments, the withdrawal will automatically proceed.

In a statement shared on social media platform X, President Rinkevics emphasized that his review of the decision will be guided by national interests and legal criteria, not ideological or political motivations. Meanwhile, discussions have emerged among several political parties about challenging the withdrawal before the country’s Constitutional Court, though the likelihood of taking the issue to a nationwide referendum remains low due to strict requirements.

Public backlash has been significant. Hundreds of demonstrators gathered outside the Latvian Parliament to voice their opposition to the withdrawal, urging the government to prioritize women’s rights and uphold international standards on domestic violence prevention.

Political Context Behind the Withdrawal

The withdrawal proposal was initiated by the right-wing opposition party Latvia First and passed with the backing of a coalition party within the current government. Party representative Inguna Millere stated to Politico that the Istanbul Convention represents a form of “radical feminism founded on gender ideology.” She further asserted that Latvia’s earlier ratification of the convention was merely a form of political theater rather than a measure aimed at genuinely addressing violence.

International Background of the Istanbul Convention

The Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence—commonly known as the Istanbul Convention—was first adopted in 2011 during the Council of Europe’s 121st session in Istanbul. The European Union later became a signatory in 2017. However, several countries, including Russia and Azerbaijan, have refused to sign the treaty, while others like Czech Republic, Slovakia, Lithuania, Hungary, Armenia, and Bulgaria have signed but not ratified it.

Controversies surrounding the convention are not new. In Turkey, debates over perceived conflicts with traditional family values and gender norms ultimately led to Turkey’s withdrawal from the convention in 2021. Latvia now joins this small group of countries stepping back from the accord, raising renewed questions about Europe’s unified approach to combating gender-based violence.

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