🔗 Share this article Latvian Parliament Members Vote to Withdraw From Treaty on Safeguarding Women from Abuse Protesters gathered outside the legislative building this week The vote represents a blow for the nation's centre-right government leader, who spoke to protesters outside the parliament The Baltic nation's parliament members have voted to pull out from an global treaty designed to protect women from abuse, covering family violence, following extensive and intense discussions in the parliament. Thousands of protesters assembled in the capital this past week to oppose the decision. The ultimate authority now rests with President Edgars Rinkevics, who must decide whether to endorse or veto the legislation. Referred to as the Istanbul Convention, the 2011 agreement only became active in Latvia last year, mandating governments to establish laws and support services to eliminate all forms of abuse. Latvia has become the initial European Union member to initiate the process of exiting from the treaty. Turkey pulled out in 2021, a decision that human rights organizations described as a significant regression for women's rights. Political Debate and Opposition The treaty was approved by the European Union in 2023, yet conservative factions have argued that its emphasis on gender equality weakens family values and advances what they term "gender ideology". Following a thirteen-hour debate in the Saeima, lawmakers decided 56 to 32 to exit from the treaty, a action proposed by opposition parties but supported by representatives from one of the three governing partners. The outcome represents a defeat for centre-right Prime Minister the nation's PM, who stood with protesters outside parliament earlier this seven-day period. "We refuse to give up, we will continue fighting so that violence will not prevail," she declared to the crowd. Political Disagreements and Responses One of the main political groups supporting the withdrawal is Latvia First, whose head has urged citizens to choose between what he terms a "natural family" and "non-binary concepts with various gender identities". Latvia's ombudswoman the rights official appealed for the treaty not to be politicized, while the organization the rights organization stated it was "not a threat to Latvian values, it served as a tool to realize them". The Thursday's vote has sparked widespread outcry both inside the country and abroad. 22,000 individuals have signed a Latvian appeal calling for the treaty to be preserved. The women's rights organization Centrs Marta has called a protest for next Thursday, charging lawmakers of ignoring the will of the nation's citizens. Global Concerns and Potential Next Steps The head of the Council of Europe's parliamentary assembly stated that Latvia had made a rash decision driven by misinformation. He described it as an "unprecedented and extremely worrying step backward for women's rights and fundamental freedoms in Europe". He added that since the transcontinental nation abandoned the convention four years ago, cases of femicide and violence against women had risen sharply. Because the decision did not secure a supermajority support, the president could possibly return the bill for further review if he holds concerns. Head of State the national leader announced on social media that he would assess the decision according to constitutional requirements, "considering state and legal factors, instead of ideological or political perspectives". Last week, another member of the ruling coalition, the Progressives, indicated it would not exclude petitioning to the Constitutional Court. "This decision represents a worrisome development for women's rights not only in our nation but throughout Europe," commented a human rights advocate. Domestic abuse statistics have been rising in multiple European countries The European treaty mandates particular legal protections for survivors of gender-based violence The nation's decision could influence comparable discussions in other member states