In response to the initiative against the ratification of the Istanbul Convention in Latvia, which was viewed by Saeima’s appropriate committee this week, Marta Centre once again stresses that the objective of the convention is prevention of violence against women and domestic violence, as mentioned in the organisation’s public statement.
According to the centre’s representatives, ratification of this convention would improve gender equality, adding that myths related to the Istanbul Convention are spread with a specific purpose to polarise society and spread disinformation.
“Starting with conspiracy theories about the Istanbul Convention being a foreign document forced on us by Europe and ending with unjustified beliefs the convention will govern the structure of families and will destroy family values – imagination of enemies of human rights has no boundaries,” Marta Centre representatives say, adding that
Latvia was one of the authors of the Istanbul Convention, stressing that the document does not contain the definition of the word “family” or any specific forms of family relationships.
This spring Marta Centre launched the campaign Myths and Facts about Istanbul Convention is order to raise awareness and explain what the convention is and to put to rest the most popular misleading claims.
Additionally the organisation invites Latvian residents to download visual materials of the campaign, study them and spread them on their social network profiles. The centre also sent visual materials to Saeima and municipal deputies.
“We believe it is the responsibility of politicians and officials to explain these myths to their voters and society in general. They cannot afford to stay quiet and continue demonstrating their indifference. Every day spent dragging the ratification of this internationally recognised tool for battling violence is a day that creates an environment in which victims of violence lose faith in state institutions and an environment in which threats for women’s and children’s lives increase,” representatives of Marta Centre claim.
The organisation also stresses that the volume of violence is confirmed by statistical information and recent shocking cases – the murder of a woman in Jekabpils, and the woman stabbed to death by her husband after she told him she wants a divorce, for example. Marta Centre notes that in both cases there was incompetence and negligence observed in the response from law enforcers, failing to serve the interests or welfare of the victims.
At the same time, Latvia’s parliament continues ignoring women’s safety and welfare by refusing to ratify the Istanbul Convention.
Although Latvia, by joining the EU, has undertaken international commitments to eradicate gender discrimination and ensure gender equality, including the development and adoption of new laws and regulations, as well as the development of policy documents, these commitments are not fulfilled effectively enough.
This way deputies demonstrate their indifference of victims of domestic violence, which has roots in gender inequality.
“We Marta Centre invite to listen to the voices of women victims of violence and prevent disinformation from taking taking charge over human rights!” the organisation’s statement stresses.
Previously it was reported that on the 2nd of August the Saeima’s Mandates, Ethics and Submissions Committee reviewed the initiative submitted by residents against the ratification of the Istanbul Convention in Latvia.
According to the author of this initiative Andris Šimfs, by not acceding to the Istanbul Convention, Latvia would avoid adverse changes in the public consciousness, preserving the values provided for in the Constitution, and protect the society from imposing the socially constructed gender forms provided for in the Istanbul Convention.
Acknowledging that violence in society and domestic violence is a major problem that needs resolving,
Šimfs believes the Istanbul Convention does not offer any notable solutions that are not already present in the country’s existing legislation, but the convention does put an enormous financial, organisational and ideological burden on the country
demanding a fundamental transformation of the structure of society in all areas of its life – culture, education, social norms, habits and traditions – including by taking control of people’s private space and family life.
Also read: Latvian Ministry of Welfare searches for solutions to approve Istanbul Convention with government