On Wednesday at 18:00, a protest will be held in front of the Saeima building against Latvia's withdrawal from the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence, reported Marta Krauinja, a representative of the "Marta" center.
Riga, October 27, LETA. On Wednesday at 18:00, a protest will be held in front of the Saeima building against Latvia's withdrawal from the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence, reported Marta Krauinja, a representative of the "Marta" center.
As reported, the Saeima supported the draft law on Latvia's withdrawal from the convention in the first reading with 52 votes in favor. The "Marta" center notes that this vote has caused outrage among parts of society, as it threatens the progress previously made in the field of human rights and gender equality.
The center emphasizes that the Saeima also supported a declaration on the inadmissibility of violence, which the organization views as an attempt to present an alternative to the convention.
"Such a declaration will not replace an internationally recognized mechanism that ensures real oversight, accountability, and international support in the area of violence prevention. It creates only the appearance of a solution, while in reality, protection from violence is diminished, as is Latvia's trust on the international stage," the center stated.
The organization believes that withdrawal from the Istanbul Convention would mean a departure from the principles of democracy and human rights. The center underscores that this is a dangerous signal that the state is ready to turn a blind eye to violence and inequality.
"This initiative is also being used as a political tool to attack transgender people and other vulnerable groups in society, creating a false impression that their rights pose a threat to society. In reality, it is the protection of these groups that strengthens democracy and overall security," the "Marta" center stated.
The center calls on the Saeima to reject the draft law on withdrawal from the Istanbul Convention in the second reading, confirming that Latvia remains a state committed to democracy, gender equality, and human rights.
The "Marta" center is a public organization that has advocated for gender equality, protection of women and children from violence, and provides legal, psychological, and social assistance to victims of violence since 2001. Each year, the center supports more than 800 women and young people and actively works to develop understanding of human rights in society.
As reported, on October 23, the Saeima conceptually supported the draft law on Latvia's withdrawal from the convention by a majority vote. The draft law was submitted by the opposition party "Latvia First," and was supported by other opposition forces - the National Alliance, the "United List," and "For Stability!" as well as politicians from the coalition party Union of Greens and Farmers. The coalition parties "New Unity" and "Progressives" oppose the withdrawal from the convention.
Prior to the vote, the draft law was declared urgent by a majority vote, which means it will be considered in only two readings. If the law is adopted in two readings and the urgency is approved by at least two-thirds of the parliament members, the president cannot exercise the veto right to suspend its proclamation.
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