Latvia’s President Edgars Rinkēvičs has declined to sign a law approved by the Latvian parliament that would see the country withdraw from the Istanbul Convention, an international treaty aimed at preventing and combatting violence against women and domestic violence. Instead of ratifying the law, Rinkēvičs returned it to the legislature for further review, citing concerns over its implications and the need for additional scrutiny.
The proposed withdrawal from the convention has sparked debate within Latvia, with critics arguing that it could undermine efforts to protect victims of domestic violence and gender-based violence. The government and various advocacy groups have expressed concern that the move may weaken Latvia’s commitments to gender equality and human rights standards outlined in the treaty.
The Istanbul Convention, adopted by the Council of Europe in 2011, obligates signatory countries to implement legal measures to prevent violence and protect victims. Latvia joined the convention in 2014 but has faced internal debates about its obligations and cultural considerations surrounding gender issues.
The president’s decision to send the law back for reconsideration reflects ongoing discussions within Latvia about its stance on international agreements related to gender and human rights. The Latvia parliament will now need to review the legislation again, taking into account the president’s feedback before any formal withdrawal can proceed.