In response to events in Latvia, when the Saeima decided to withdraw from the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence, 57 Estonian MPs have signed a declaration expressing support for the Convention, writes ERR News.
Members of the Estonian parliament, the Riigikogu, have stated that it is unacceptable for Estonia to turn a blind eye to violence against women and domestic violence. The declaration states that statistics show that almost 41% of Estonian women have suffered violence in a relationship at least once in their lives, and 39% of women have experienced physical violence. The declaration states that the MPs who signed it want to provide a sense of security to the population, confirming that the country will not deviate or retreat from its current position. “Prevention, assisting victims, punishing violent individuals, and offering counseling will remain priorities of the Republic of Estonia. Cooperation to combat violence against women will continue across all state institutions and non-governmental organizations,” the signed document states.
The head of the Riigikogu Women’s Faction, Maris Lauri, told reporters that Latvia’s possible withdrawal from the Istanbul Convention has also caused a reaction in Estonia. She added that there are also people in Estonia who want to follow Latvia’s example, but there are also those who believe that a comprehensive approach to combating violence is necessary.
The declaration signed by the deputies assures the Estonian people that
the parliamentarians continue to stand up against violence and support the current policy direction,
and do not plan to withdraw from the convention. The statement notes that the convention is not an ideological document based on slogans, and that it ensures the protection of victims of violence in a state governed by the rule of law.
The 57 MPs who signed the declaration belong to two coalition parties and three of the four opposition parties.
Estonia joined the Istanbul Convention ten years ago. Latvia officially joined it on the 1st of May, 2024, and this fall the opposition, with the support of the Union of Green and Farmers’ in the coalition, began the process of withdrawing from the convention. The issue has gained wide resonance in society, and Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs has submitted the draft law for a second reading.
Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal has called what happened in Latvia a move in the wrong direction. He added that nonsense and fabricated statements are being used to discredit the convention.
Read also: Legal expert explains why the Latvian President’s decision on the Istanbul Convention was correct