Latvian president calls on parliament to reconsider withdrawal from Istanbul Convention

Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs has sent a bill on the country's withdrawal from the Istanbul Convention back to parliament for reconsideration. On October 31, the parliament, known as the Saeima, voted to withdraw from this international treaty, which prohibits violence against women and domestic violence. Thirty-two MPs supported the convention, while 56 voted to withdraw, arguing that the convention promotes “radical feminism.”

Source Euronews

Rinkevics noted that withdrawing from the convention could send a “controversial message” to both Latvian society and international partners. He stressed that Latvia would become the first European Union member state to withdraw from an international human rights treaty and noted that this issue should be carefully considered. The president also believes that the new parliament may be better placed to decide on this issue, given its importance for the country's image on the international stage.