Latvia's Parliament Members Vote to Withdraw From International Accord on Protecting Women from Violence
Protesters gathered outside the legislative building this week
Latvia's lawmakers have voted to withdraw from an global treaty designed to protect females from violence, covering domestic abuse, following prolonged and intense debates in the legislature.
Several thousand of protesters assembled in Riga this week to oppose the decision. The final decision now rests with President Edgars Rinkevics, who must determine whether to endorse or veto the legislation.
Known as the Istanbul Convention, the international accord only became active in the Baltic state last twelve months ago, mandating authorities to develop laws and assistance programs to eliminate all forms of violence.
Latvia has become the initial EU country to initiate the procedure of exiting from the convention. Turkey withdrew in two years ago, a decision that rights groups described as a significant setback for women's rights.
Political Debate and Resistance
The treaty was approved by the European Union in last year, yet conservative factions have argued that its focus on equal rights weakens traditional families and promotes what they term "non-traditional gender concepts".
Following a thirteen-hour debate in the Latvian parliament, lawmakers decided by a margin of 56-32 to exit from the convention, a action proposed by political opponents but backed by politicians from one of the three coalition parties.
The result represents a setback for moderate conservative Prime Minister Evika Silina, who joined protesters outside parliament earlier this seven-day period. "We refuse to give up, we will continue fighting so that abuse will not prevail," she declared to the assembly.
Ideological Disagreements and Reactions
One of the main political groups supporting the withdrawal is Latvia First, whose head has urged citizens to select from what he terms a "traditional family unit" and "gender ideology with multiple sexes".
Latvia's ombudswoman Karina Palkova urged the agreement not to be made political, while the organization Equality Now stated it was "not a danger to Latvian values, it was an instrument to realize them".
The Thursday's vote has sparked widespread outcry both within the country and abroad.
Twenty-two thousand people have signed a Latvian appeal demanding the treaty to be maintained. The women's rights organization Centrs Marta has called a demonstration for the coming week, charging lawmakers of ignoring the will of the nation's citizens.
Global Worries and Potential Next Steps
The head of the Council of Europe's parliamentary assembly stated that the Baltic state had made a rash decision driven by false information. He characterized it as an "unprecedented and deeply concerning step backward for female equality and fundamental freedoms in Europe".
He noted that since Turkey abandoned the treaty four years ago, instances of gender-based killings and violence against women had increased significantly.
Because the vote did not secure a two-thirds majority, the head of state could possibly return the legislation for additional review if he holds concerns.
Head of State the national leader stated on social media that he would evaluate the decision according to legal requirements, "taking into account governmental and judicial considerations, rather than belief-based viewpoints".
Recently, another member of the ruling coalition, the Progressives, suggested it would not exclude appealing to the Constitutional Court.
"This decision represents a worrisome development for women's rights not only in our nation but across Europe," commented a human rights advocate.
- Domestic abuse statistics have been rising in multiple European nations
- The European treaty mandates specific legal protections for victims of domestic abuse
- The nation's decision could affect comparable discussions in other member states