The Union of Greens and Farmers (ZZS) will have to answer for betraying coalition partners and the public, Prime Minister Evika Siliņa (New Unity) told journalists.
At a press conference following Friday’s high-level meeting between the government and the Foreign Investors’ Council in Latvia (FICIL), Siliņa said that certain politicians had “put the issue of the Istanbul Convention on the table” in order to divide society and divert attention away from economic matters.
“Yes, I am disappointed in my coalition partners. Yes, they have broken the promise they gave to me, to the coalition partners, to society, and now also internationally, and they will have to answer for that,” the Prime Minister said.
Asked how they would have to answer, Siliņa explained that internal consultations within New Unity would take place in the coming days. “And I will inform how they will answer,” Siliņa said.
The Prime Minister compared ZZS’ actions to infidelity within a marriage.
She noted that such “infidelity” had already occurred once in winter. “And the question is, how long will the wife endure? It is like in domestic abuse – how long will she stay silent? She will not stay silent,” Siliņa stated.
Meanwhile, FICIL Board Chairperson Reinhold Schneider told journalists that the Council was not pleased with the latest developments in Parliament. He stressed that this issue should not have required any discussion at all – there is a range of other matters that should be addressed more actively. He added that foreign investors are concerned about how this decision of the Saeima may affect Latvia’s reputation.
As reported, on Thursday the Saeima adopted the law on Latvia’s withdrawal from the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence, known as the Istanbul Convention, with votes from the opposition and ZZS.
The Centre “Marta” and several other non-governmental organisations have sent a letter to President Edgars Rinkēvičs,
calling on him to return the law on withdrawal from the Convention to the Saeima for reconsideration.
The organisations assess that the Convention is one of the most important international human rights instruments protecting women, children, and people at risk of violence, as it obliges the state not only to punish perpetrators, but also to develop preventive mechanisms, educate society, provide support to victims, and strengthen the capacity of law enforcement institutions to prevent violence.
The organisations also point out that the bill was examined hastily and that this process lacked proper discussion among the public, experts, and involved parties. The Foreign Affairs Committee meetings did not provide an opportunity for the responsible ministries, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to express their views on the proposal.
The authors of the letter emphasise that a disinformation campaign has been observed
in the public space regarding certain provisions of the Convention on preventing violence and their compatibility with the Constitution and other laws.
Given that 39 member states of the Council of Europe have ratified the Convention on preventing violence, the organisations believe that Latvia’s withdrawal would significantly damage the country’s international reputation, undermining Latvia’s image as a European, democratic state that supports human rights and gender equality, the letter states.
The letter has been signed by more than 2,000 people, including the first Chairman of the Latvian Popular Front Dainis Īvāns, civic activist and former MP of the Supreme Council Velta Čebotarenoka, actors Vilis Daudziņš, Zane Daudziņa, Ilze Ķuzule-Skrastiņa, Kaspars Gods, Inga Ungure, directors Matīss Kaža, Uģis Olte, Elmārs Seņkovs, musicians Ralfs Eilands, Aija Andrejeva, Jēkabs Nīmanis, Marta Grigale, writers Inese Zandere, Ieva Melgalve, Inga Gaile and others.
Following the Saeima’s majority decision, the international human rights organisation Amnesty International also issued a statement. The organisation’s Senior Women’s Rights Researcher Mónica Costa Riba stated that “Latvia’s withdrawal from the Istanbul Convention would be a devastating blow to the protection and rights of women and girls in the country, as well as everyone experiencing domestic violence. It sends abusers a dangerous message that they can exploit and kill women and girls with impunity.”
The bill on withdrawal from the Convention was submitted by the opposition party Latvia First (LPV), and it was supported by other opposition parties – the National Alliance (NA), the United List (AS) and For Stability!, as well as ZZS politicians, who are part of the ruling coalition. The coalition parties New Unity (JV) and The Progressives did not support withdrawal.
A total of 56 MPs voted in favour of withdrawal,
32 MPs from JV and The Progressives voted against, and two MPs – Igors Rajevs and Didzis Šmits – abstained. The debate on the bill lasted more than 13 hours.
The withdrawal law was adopted under the urgency procedure; however, it did not receive the required two-thirds majority, which allows the President to refuse to promulgate it and return it to Parliament for reconsideration. Critics of the decision have mentioned other possible options to halt or delay the entry into force of the law – applying to the Constitutional Court or calling on the President to suspend promulgation to allow time for signature collection to initiate a referendum.
President Edgars Rinkēvičs has so far remained cautious in his comments on denouncing the Convention, refraining from expressing support for either side. He has stated that he is trying to remain neutral to avoid becoming a participant in pre-election struggles. Rinkēvičs has acknowledged that once the Saeima passes the decision, the issue will end up “on his desk”, and then he will assess it comprehensively and make a decision.
In Latvia, the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence, also known as the Istanbul Convention, entered into force on 1 May of last year. It is an international treaty which stipulates that member states must develop coordinated policies to better protect women from all forms of violence, as well as both women and men from domestic violence. Member states must ensure victims receive comprehensive support and protection, including crisis centres, a 24/7 helpline, specialised support centres for victims of sexual violence, and protection and support for children who witness violence.
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