Latvia Urged to Strengthen Domestic Protections Following Istanbul Convention Withdrawal

2 days ago7 min read

Latvia's decision to withdraw from the Istanbul Convention marks a pivotal moment for the nation's commitment to combating gender-based violence. The Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence has served as a crucial international framework for establishing comprehensive legal standards and support systems.As Latvia moves forward, the critical challenge will be ensuring that its domestic legislation and enforcement mechanisms can robustly fill the void left by this withdrawal. This necessitates a clear, actionable plan from the government to not only maintain but enhance protections for women and all victims of domestic violence.The convention's independent monitoring body, GREVIO, has provided invaluable oversight; without it, Latvia must now demonstrate through transparent and measurable outcomes that its national institutions can effectively prevent violence, protect victims, and prosecute offenders. This moment calls for a renewed focus on funding for victim support services, specialized training for law enforcement and judiciary, and public education campaigns to foster a culture of zero tolerance.The government's ability to uphold these standards independently will be closely scrutinized by both its citizens and international partners. The priority must remain unequivocally on safeguarding the well-being and rights of all individuals, ensuring that Latvia continues to progress as a society where safety from violence is a fundamental guarantee.

#Latvia

#Istanbul Convention

#women's rights

#human rights

#legislation

#international treaties

#featured

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