On Thursday night, a significant number of demonstrators, estimated by local police to be around 10,000, gathered in Riga, Latvia’s capital, to voice their opposition to the country’s potential withdrawal from the Istanbul Convention. This treaty, which aims to standardize support for women who have suffered violence, including domestic abuse, has been signed by 45 nations and the European Union as of 2019.
The protest, organized by the local NGO Marta Centre under the banner “Let’s Protect Mother Latvia,” was a response to recent political developments, including President Edgars Rinkēvičs’ announcement that he would be sending the law concerning withdrawal back to parliament for further review. Just days prior, on October 31, the Saeima, Latvia’s parliament, voted on the contentious issue, resulting in 56 lawmakers favoring a withdrawal from the treaty, while 32 voted to remain, arguing that the convention promotes “radical feminism based on the ideology of gender.” Two members abstained from voting.
Political implications and societal response
In a letter addressing the situation, Rinkēvičs expressed concerns that withdrawing from the Istanbul Convention would send a “contradictory message” to both the Latvian populace and international allies regarding the country’s commitment to fulfilling its international obligations. He highlighted that Latvia would become the first EU member state to retract from such a human rights treaty, thereby questioning the compatibility of such a move with the principle of loyal cooperation established in the Treaty on European Union.
Future of the treaty in Latvia
Given that Latvians are scheduled to participate in a general election by October 3, 2024, Rinkēvičs suggested that it might be prudent to defer the decision to the incoming parliament. While the president has the constitutional authority to request further deliberation from the Saeima, he does not possess the power to unilaterally overturn its decision.
“Those who have been brave enough to seek help are now witnessing their experiences being used for political battles,” Siliņa wrote on social platform X in October. “It is cruel.”
The backlash against the Istanbul Convention is not isolated to Latvia, as ultra-conservative groups and political factions across Europe have criticized the treaty, claiming it promotes “gender ideology” and has adverse effects on children. Opposition MPs in Latvia initiated discussions on potentially withdrawing from the treaty as early as September, aligning with the views of the Union of Greens and Farmers, a member of the ruling coalition led by Prime Minister Evika Siliņa’s centre-right Unity party.
Despite the current political climate, the European Commission reaffirmed on the day of the parliament vote that Latvia remains obligated to adhere to international regulations concerning women’s protection. Civil society organizations have interpreted the move to withdraw from the Istanbul Convention as a regressive step concerning fundamental rights, a sentiment echoed by advocates for women’s safety.
The Istanbul Convention is designed to combat violence against women and has garnered signatures from all EU member states, alongside other nations such as the United Kingdom and Norway. In 2023, the EU as a whole acceded to the convention, establishing it as a legally binding agreement for its member states in various domains, including judicial cooperation and asylum rights. Nevertheless, some member states, including Bulgaria, Hungary, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, and Lithuania, have yet to ratify the convention.