'Victory of democracy': Latvia postpones withdrawal from Istanbul Convention
Latvian Prime Minister Evika Siliņa (photo: Getty Images)
Latvian Prime Minister Evika Siliņa welcomed the Saeima's decision to postpone the country's withdrawal from the Istanbul Convention. She called it a victory for democracy, the rule of law, and women's rights, the prime minister reported.
"Latvian parliament has voted to postpone the withdrawal from the Istanbul Convention indefinitely. I welcome this vote. It is a victory of democracy, the rule of law, and women's rights. It is a victory of the Latvian people," she emphasized.
Siliņa stressed that Latvia is a reliable partner and ally and remains committed to European values.
Istanbul Convention
When Latvia joined the Istanbul Convention, it committed to protecting women from domestic violence, preventing such crimes, and ensuring punishment for offenders.
The document is considered a key international mechanism for protecting women's rights and promoting equality. Its implementation demonstrates a country's adherence to European values, democracy, and the rule of law.
Withdrawal from the convention could jeopardize these principles — both domestically and internationally.
It would weaken the protection of victims of violence, as Latvia would lose access to international monitoring mechanisms and support.
Furthermore, such a position would undermine the country's reputation as a reliable EU partner and exacerbate societal tensions, as the issue of the convention has already sparked considerable debate.
Ukraine, as one of the Convention's authors, signed it on November 7, 2011, and ratified it on June 20, 2022.
In recent days, the Latvian parliament voted to withdraw from the Istanbul Convention. This occurred despite the prime minister's position and public protests.
