Latvian lawmakers have voted to withdraw from the Istanbul Convention, a landmark international treaty aimed at protecting women from all forms of violence, including domestic abuse. The decision followed a heated 13-hour debate in the Saeima (parliament), resulting in a 56–32 vote in favor of withdrawal.
The move has sparked widespread outrage across Latvia, with several thousand protesters taking to the streets of Riga earlier this week. Many gathered outside parliament, holding signs defending women’s rights and calling for the country to remain committed to the convention. Prime Minister Evika Silina, who joined the demonstrators, vowed to continue opposing violence against women, declaring, “We will not give up, we will fight so that violence does not win.”
The Istanbul Convention, adopted in 2011, requires member states to implement laws and establish support systems to prevent and combat violence against women. Latvia only ratified the treaty in 2023, making its sudden withdrawal a major reversal.
The withdrawal initiative was spearheaded by opposition parties but gained unexpected support from some lawmakers within the governing coalition, particularly the Union of Greens and Farmers. Critics of the treaty, mainly ultra-conservative groups, argue that its emphasis on gender equality undermines traditional family values and promotes what they call “gender ideology.”
If finalized, Latvia would become the first European Union member state to pull out of the Istanbul Convention. The decision now rests with President Edgars Rinkevics, who must decide whether to sign the withdrawal into law.
Human rights advocates have described the vote as a significant setback for women’s rights in Europe. The Council of Europe, which oversees the convention, has previously condemned similar moves, such as Turkey’s 2021 withdrawal, calling them a blow to global efforts to end violence against women.
As Latvia awaits the president’s decision, the debate continues to highlight the deep divide between progressive and conservative forces over gender and family issues.
