"Decade-long journey of the Istanbul Convention: milestones reached and obstacles yet to be overcome"
The European Union, along with several of its member states, is set to discuss the achievements and future challenges of the Istanbul Convention at a high-level conference on 11 May. Led by the German Federal Foreign Office and the Council of Europe, the event will be attended by Minister of State Michael Roth, who will deliver a closing statement.
The Istanbul Convention, which entered into force on August 1, 2014, aims to prevent and combat violence against women and domestic violence. It has been signed by 47 Council of Europe member states, with 34 currently being contracting states, including Germany. However, Russia and Azerbaijan, among others, have neither signed nor ratified the Convention.
The European Court of Justice is currently preparing an opinion on the legal basis for ratification, also in view of a unanimous decision by the Council. Eleven Council of Europe countries have signed but not yet ratified the Convention, including the EU member states Latvia, Lithuania, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, and Bulgaria.
The Convention defines violence broadly, encompassing physical, sexual, psychological violence, stalking, sexual harassment, forced marriage, forced abortions, forced sterilizations, and female genital mutilation. Unfortunately, the pandemic has resulted in a noticeable increase in violence against women and domestic violence in several European contracting states.
The Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Marija Pejčinović Burić, emphasized that in times of crisis, it is often the most vulnerable who suffer. She reiterated the commitment of the member states to the Istanbul Convention as an instrument for protecting women and children. She urged member states to stand up for those who are so often disadvantaged and overlooked.
An independent expert group, GREVIO, oversees the implementation of the Istanbul Convention's commitments. This group, with 15 members, includes a German expert. The Chair of the Committee of Ministers is German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas.
Significant progress has been made in recent years in addressing violence against women and domestic violence, promoting gender equality, and combating sexism. However, the withdrawal of Turkey from the Istanbul Convention on 22 March 2021 serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges in this area.
The high-level conference on 11 May will provide an opportunity for member states to discuss these challenges and reaffirm their commitment to the Istanbul Convention. As the pandemic continues to exacerbate the situation of victims of domestic violence, it is more important than ever for the international community to stand together in support of this crucial agreement.
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