In order to discuss and learn about the experience of other countries in implementing the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combatting Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (the Istanbul Convention) an international seminar "From Policies to Results: the Role of Parliamentarians in Implementing and Monitoring the Istanbul Convention” will be held at the Saeima on 11 June. It is organised by the parliament and the Committee on Equality and Non-Discrimination of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE).
The seminar will be opened by Antonina Nenaševa, Deputy Speaker of the Saeima, and Etilda Gjonaj, General Rapporteur on Violence against Women of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe.
The seminar will provide an opportunity for MPs and officials to discuss current developments and experience in the implementation of the Convention with parliamentarians from other PACE member states. The participants will discuss legislative, budgetary and monitoring structures involved in the implementation of the Istanbul Convention, and the discussion will be moderated by Edmunds Cepurītis, Chair of the European Affairs Committee of the Saeima and member of the PACE Committee on Equality and Non-Discrimination.
The role and responsibilities of parliaments in monitoring implementation, including cooperation with GREVIO, an international group of independent experts that audits countries’ progress in achieving the objectives of the Convention, will also be discussed at the seminar. The focus will also be on cooperation between parliaments and civil society organisations working to prevent and combat violence against women and domestic violence.
The discussion will be attended by Leila Rasima, Chair of the Committee on Human Rights and Public Affairs of the Saeima, Zane Skujiņa-Rubene, Chair of the Subcommittee on the Reduction of Inequality of the Social and Employment Matters Committee of the Saeima, Inese Lībiņa-Egnere, Minister of Justice, as well as representatives of civil society organisations. It is planned that Mariia Mezentseva, Chair of the Committee on Equality and Non- Discrimination and Head of the Ukrainian Delegation to PACE, and a number of representatives of competent international organisations will also participate in the seminar.
The international seminar "From Policies to Results: the Role of Parliamentarians in Implementing and Monitoring the Istanbul Convention” will be held on Tuesday 11 June, starting at 9:30, in the Red Hall of the Saeima at Jēkaba iela 11.
The Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence entered into force in Latvia on 1 May this year. It is an international treaty that requires its member states to develop coherent policies to better protect women from all forms of violence, as well as women and men from domestic violence. Member States must, among other things, provide victims with comprehensive assistance and protection, crisis centres, a 24/7 crisis hotline, specialised support centres for victims of sexual violence, and protect and support children who have witnessed violence.
For media attention:
Media representatives may attend the opening of the seminar and the first session in the Red Hall of the Saeima.
The seminar will be opened at 9:30, and first session "From ratification to implementation of the Istanbul Convention: legislation, budgeting and monitoring structures” will be held from 10:00 until 11:15.
Media representatives who do not have permanent accreditation for work in the Saeima are kindly requested to apply in a timely manner by e-mail – prese@saeima.lv or by telephone: +371 67087244.
Saeima Press Service