Latvia moves to withdraw from treaty on preventing violence against women

Latvia’s parliament has voted to leave the Council of Europe’s Istanbul Convention, a treaty focused on fighting violence against women. After a 13-hour debate, 56 lawmakers voted in favor of withdrawal from the agreement Latvia ratified in November 2024, 32 voted against and two abstained, according to Euronews.

Latvia will be the first EU country to leave the convention if the parliament’s decision is supported by President Edgars Rinkēvičs.

The Istanbul Convention sets out practical standards for preventing domestic violence and ensuring victim support. It requires countries to provide services such as shelters and hotlines and to strengthen legal frameworks for prosecuting offenders. Some critics in Latvia and other European countries say the treaty supports what they call «gender ideology.»

Prime Minister Evika Silina, whose government supported joining the treaty, criticized the decision, describing it as «cruel» toward women affected by violence. Rights groups such as Equality Now also warned that leaving the convention could put women’s safety and democratic values at risk.