In a move that has sparked significant controversy, Latvian Members of Parliament have voted to withdraw from an international agreement designed to protect women from violence, including domestic abuse. This decision followed a lengthy and impassioned parliamentary debate.
The vote has been met with strong public reaction, with thousands protesting in the capital, Riga. The ultimate decision now lies with President Edgars Rinkevics, who will determine whether to approve the law.
The treaty in question, known as the Istanbul Convention, was established in 2011 and only recently came into effect in Latvia last year. It mandates that signatory governments implement laws and support services to combat all forms of violence against women.
Latvia’s decision marks a significant step, as it is the first EU nation to consider withdrawing from this convention. This action follows Turkey’s withdrawal in 2021, a move that was heavily criticized by the Council of Europe as a major setback for human rights.
This vote represents a blow to the current centre-right administration led by Prime Minister Evika Silina. She herself joined protestors outside parliament earlier in the week, vowing, “We will not give up, we will fight so that violence does not win.”
While the European Union ratified the treaty in 2023, certain conservative groups have voiced opposition, arguing that the convention’s emphasis on gender equality challenges traditional family values and promotes what they term “gender ideology.”
After a marathon 13-hour debate, the Saeima, Latvia’s parliament, voted 56 to 32 to withdraw from the treaty. This initiative was primarily driven by opposition parties and gained support from one of the coalition partners, the Union of Greens and Farmers.
Ainars Slesers, leader of the Latvia First party, a key proponent of the withdrawal, has urged Latvians to choose between a “natural family” and “gender ideology with multiple sexes.”
In response, Latvia’s ombudswoman, Karina Palkova, stressed the importance of keeping the treaty non-politicized. Equality Now, a women’s rights organization, stated that the convention is not a threat to Latvian values but rather a “tool to realize them.”
The outcome of Thursday’s vote has drawn widespread criticism both domestically and internationally. A petition opposing the treaty’s withdrawal garnered 22,000 signatures in Latvia. The women’s rights group Centrs Marta has organized a protest for the upcoming Thursday, accusing lawmakers of disregarding the will of the people.
Theodoros Rousopoulos, head of the Council of Europe’s parliamentary assembly, commented that Latvia’s decision was hasty and influenced by misinformation. He described it as an “unprecedented and deeply worrying step backwards for women’s rights and human rights in Europe.” Rousopoulos also pointed out that femicide and violence against women had significantly increased in Turkey after its withdrawal from the treaty.
Since the vote did not achieve the required two-thirds majority, President Rinkevics has the option to send the bill back for further review if he holds any objections. He stated on X that he would consider the decision based on constitutional, state, and legal principles, rather than ideological or political ones.
The Progressives, another party within the ruling coalition, have indicated that they might appeal to the Constitutional Court. According to the European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE), women are disproportionately affected by partner violence compared to men. EIGE’s recent data shows 142 reported incidents of intimate partner violence against women in Latvia in 2022, a figure slightly higher than in 2021 but lower than in preceding years.