Latvia delays decision on quitting anti-gender violence treaty
The Latvian prime minister called the decision "a victory of democracy, rule of law and women's rights"
Latvia’s parliament decided on Wednesday to shelve discussions on whether to withdraw from a treaty combating violence against women for a year, after the president returned it to lawmakers for reconsideration.
They had passed the bill to withdraw from the Istanbul Convention on 31 October, its supporters arguing that the convention violated gender norms.
That vote was held less than two years after the treaty, designed to protect women from gender-based and domestic violence, first came into force.
Rights activists and President Edgars Rinkēvičs had criticised the initial decision by lawmakers to pull out of the convention.
Rinkēvičs returned the bill to the parliament for reconsideration on Monday, saying in a statement it “sent a contradictory message to both Latvian society and Latvia’s allies”.
He also called for a national law on protecting women to be passed before taking a decision on leaving the Convention.
Prime Minister Evika Siliņa praised parliament’s decision to postpone the vote until 1 November 2026, which will be after the country holds elections in autumn next year.
She called the decision “a victory of democracy, rule of law and women’s rights” in a social media post on Wednesday.
“Latvia is a reliable partner and ally, and remains committed to European values,” she added.
Democracy and human rights watchdog the Council of Europe had also expressed concern in a statement last Friday, saying Latvia’s decision sent a “dangerous message”.
The delay of the vote follows protests within the country and throughout the Latvian diaspora.
Around 5,000 people protested outside parliament on 29 October against the decision to leave the convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence.
Another protest, organised by the women’s rights group Centrs Marta, has been planned for Thursday.
(vib)
