The Saeima's decision to withdraw from the international treaty aimed at combating violence has outraged thousands of residents of Latvia, writes Ir.
Why did the protesters take to the streets and what does the Istanbul Convention actually mean to them?
On the evening of October 29, a protest against the Saeima's decision gathered 5,000 people. When most deputies ignored their opinion, over 60,000 people signed against leaving the convention on the Manabalss.lv portal within a few days, and large-scale protests will take place on November 6 at Dome Square, in 14 cities in Latvia and beyond. People will gather simultaneously in Daugavpils, Liepaja, The Hague, Brussels, London, Oslo, and other locations.
This is the broadest popular protest movement in recent decades since the "mourning for oligarchs" in 2011 and the "umbrella revolution" in 2007. Back then, people were outraged by political corruption; this time, it is an attack on human rights. Actively participating in the protests are people who previously considered themselves apolitical, notes Beata Jonite, a representative of the "Marta" center.
"There is a saying: if you don't take an interest in politics, politics will take an interest in you. And people have finally understood this. I hope that this wave of activity can be maintained until the elections so that those who are advocating for this issue today come and vote. Everyone has the opportunity to make their country better," she says.
Jonite is one of the organizers of the protests. "The Saeima's vote was a slap in the face," she emphasizes. The idea of holding actions outside of Riga and the country came from the residents themselves.
"I'm not one to often attend public events. I live in a neighborhood and usually prefer to stay home. But this year we had our third daughter. Perhaps this made me look at things differently," says 33-year-old video game developer Emils Mednis.
"Seeing so many people, I realized - we are not in the minority. Even if the Saeima does not hear us, we see and hear each other. That gives hope," he adds.
Emils' words are confirmed by a public opinion poll - the majority of Latvia's residents do not support leaving the convention. "I cannot remain indifferent," says Evi Jonina, who came to the rally at the Saeima with her 14-year-old daughter. "It is difficult for me to talk about politics; I am not very knowledgeable about it. I have never complained about the government because I believe that my well-being depends on myself. But for the first time, I saw that the decisions are made by completely selfish and ignorant people!"
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