Saeima passes bill on ratification of Istanbul Convention

RIGA - Saeima today supported in the final reading a bill on ratification of the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence or Istanbul Convention.

Only the coalition MPs voted for the bill, while the opposition largely did not vote.

According to the ruling coalition, the convention has been ratified with a reference to the Latvian Constitution's values, principles, and provisions regarding human rights, gender equality, marriage, family, rights of parents and children.

The Welfare Ministry, which drafted the bill, points out that Istanbul Convention establishes a comprehensive legal framework to protect women from all forms of violence and to protect women and men from domestic violence.

The convention requires member countries to develop coherent policies on violence against women and domestic violence, and public authorities to implement inter-institutional cooperation with non-governmental organizations, civil society and the media.

Istanbul Convention also calls for the involvement of all competent public authorities and services in order to address violence against women and domestic violence in a coordinated manner. At the same time, it emphasizes the need to collect statistical data on cases of violence against women and domestic violence, said the Welfare Ministry.