Latvian Parliament Votes to Withdraw from Istanbul Convention

In a contentious 13-hour session, the Latvian Parliament voted to withdraw from the Istanbul Convention, a Council of Europe treaty aimed at combating violence against women. The motion, which was opposed by Prime Minister Evika Silina and her governing coalition, passed with 56 lawmakers voting to withdraw and 32 voting to remain. The decision must now be signed by President Edgars Rinkevics, who has indicated that he is not in favor of the withdrawal. The Istanbul Convention, which came into force in Latvia last year, is intended to standardize support for women who are victims of violence, including domestic abuse. The withdrawal is set to make Latvia the first European Union member state to quit the treaty.

Key Takeaways:

• The Latvian Parliament voted to withdraw from the Istanbul Convention, a Council of Europe treaty aimed at combating violence against women, with 56 lawmakers voting to withdraw and 32 voting to remain.
• The motion, which was opposed by Prime Minister Evika Silina and her governing coalition, must now be signed by President Edgars Rinkevics.
• The Istanbul Convention, which came into force in Latvia last year, is intended to standardize support for women who are victims of violence, including domestic abuse.
• Ultra-conservative groups and political parties have criticized the treaty, arguing that it promotes "gender ideology," encourages sexual experimentation, and harms children.
• Around 5,000 people protested outside the parliament in Riga on Wednesday night against the withdrawal, while around 20 people rallied in favor of withdrawal on Thursday.
• The withdrawal is set to make Latvia the first European Union member state to quit the Istanbul Convention, which was ratified by the Latvian Parliament in November 2024.
• The decision highlights cracks in the governing coalition ahead of the next parliamentary elections, scheduled to take place in the fall of 2026, and emboldens anti-human rights movements across Europe and Central Asia, according to Tamar Dekanosidze from international women's rights organization Equality Now.

Statistics:

• 56 Latvian lawmakers voted to withdraw from the Istanbul Convention.
• 32 lawmakers voted to remain in the treaty.
• 2 lawmakers abstained from voting.
• The Istanbul Convention came into force in Latvia last year.
• Around 5,000 people protested against the withdrawal in Riga on Wednesday night.
• Around 20 people rallied in favor of withdrawal on Thursday.

Sources:

• Baltic News Service
• Equality Now
• The Council of Europe
• The Latvian Parliament