Despite the Saeima postponing the final decision on Latvia's possible withdrawal from the Istanbul Convention, the evening protest "Let’s Save Mother Latvia," which will take place on Thursday in Riga, is expected to gather a large number of participants, the representative of the Marta Center Beata Jonite told reporters.
In Riga, at Dome Square, as well as in other cities, including outside Latvia, a protest against Latvia's withdrawal from the convention is scheduled for this evening at 19:00. According to the organizers of the protest, more than 5,000 people may participate in the event. Law enforcement will monitor the proceedings.
Jonite noted that the organizers of the event have not yet received information about potential security risks.
The aim of the protest is to express public dissent against a possible withdrawal from the convention and to remind about the importance of upholding human rights, emphasized Jonite. According to her, the event will also be a manifestation of unity and solidarity in society, as people gather together to defend their values.
"We are protesting to prevent our politicians from playing with human rights and the country's reputation on the international stage," Jonite stated, adding that damage has already been done.
A representative of the Marta Center noted that postponing the Saeima's decision until next year does not mean resolving the issue, but rather delaying it. This means that discussions on human rights issues in Latvia will continue for at least another year.
If the deputies of the next Saeima decide to withdraw from the convention, there will still be an opportunity to raise this issue in the Constitutional Court or put it to a referendum, Jonite added. "I find it hard to imagine such a path back. This already demonstrates our country's absolutely inconsistent foreign policy. Withdrawing from international treaties without valid reasons is inconsistent," Jonite noted.
As reported, this autumn the opposition party "Latvia First" submitted a bill to the Saeima for the denunciation of the Istanbul Convention, which was supported not only by other opposition parties - the National Alliance, the United List, and For Stability! - but also by the ruling coalition member Union of Greens and Farmers. The ruling coalition members New Unity and Progressives did not support the withdrawal from the convention. The bill was passed by a majority vote.
