Latvia's Lawmakers Vote to Exit Treaty on Protecting Women from Abuse
Protesters gathered outside the legislative building this week
Latvia's parliament members have voted to withdraw from an global treaty created to safeguard females from violence, covering family violence, following prolonged and heated discussions in the legislature.
Several thousand of demonstrators assembled in the capital this week to voice disagreement with the vote. The final authority now lies with President the nation's president, who must determine whether to approve or veto the legislation.
Known as the Istanbul Convention, the international accord only became active in Latvia last year, mandating governments to develop legal frameworks and assistance programs to eliminate all types of abuse.
The Baltic nation has become the first European Union member to begin the procedure of withdrawing from the treaty. The transcontinental nation pulled out in two years ago, a move that rights groups described as a significant regression for women's rights.
Ideological Debate and Resistance
The international agreement was ratified by the European Union in last year, yet traditionalist factions have argued that its focus on gender equality undermines traditional families and promotes what they term "non-traditional gender concepts".
Following a thirteen-hour debate in the Saeima, MPs decided 56 to 32 to withdraw from the convention, a action proposed by political opponents but supported by representatives from one of the three governing partners.
The outcome represents a setback for centre-right Prime Minister Evika Silina, who stood with protesters outside the legislature earlier this week. "We will not surrender, we will continue fighting so that violence will not prevail," she stated to the crowd.
Political Disagreements and Responses
One of the main political groups supporting the exit is a nationalist party, whose leader has urged citizens to choose between what he terms a "traditional family unit" and "gender ideology with various gender identities".
The nation's ombudswoman Karina Palkova urged the treaty not to be made political, while the organization the rights organization asserted it was "not a threat to national principles, it served as a tool to achieve them".
The recent decision has provoked broad protest both within Latvia and internationally.
22,000 people have signed a national appeal demanding the treaty to be preserved. The women's rights organization the rights center has called a protest for next Thursday, accusing MPs of ignoring the will of the nation's citizens.
International Worries and Potential Future Actions
The leader of the European organization's legislative body stated that Latvia had made a rash choice fueled by false information. He described it as an "never-before-seen and extremely worrying regression for women's rights and fundamental freedoms in the continent".
He noted that since the transcontinental nation left the convention four years ago, cases of gender-based killings and violence against women had risen sharply.
Because the vote did not achieve a supermajority support, the president could possibly send back the bill for further consideration if he has concerns.
President the national leader announced on social media that he would evaluate the vote according to constitutional principles, "considering state and legal factors, instead of belief-based viewpoints".
Last week, another component of the ruling coalition, the reformist party, indicated it would not rule out petitioning to the Constitutional Court.
"This vote represents a concerning situation for gender equality not only in Latvia but throughout the continent," stated a human rights advocate.
- Family violence statistics have been increasing in several EU nations
- The Istanbul Convention mandates particular safeguards for victims of domestic abuse
- Latvia's decision could influence similar discussions in additional member states