LI news, 07.08.2014
Following the entry into force of the Istanbul Convention on Prevention and Elimination of Violence against Women, the President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), Anne Brasseur MP of LI full member, Demokratesch Partei (Luxemburg), has vouched to continue to work for its ratification both within and outside of the borders of Europe.

Hailing the move as a cornerstone in the system of human rights protection, Brasseur said: “The Istanbul Convention enshrines the most advanced and comprehensive set of standards at international level to tackle violence against women. Although it focuses primarily on women, it would be simplistic to consider it a convention on women’s rights. It will benefit society as a whole: the women and girls who are subjected to violence because of their gender; the women, men and children who are victims or witnesses of domestic violence; the perpetrators who want to be rehabilitated; men, who are not only part of the problem but also part of the solution; and today’s boys and girls whom we want to grow up believing in the full equality and dignity of human beings.”

The treaty, which was drafted by the Council of Europe, obliges all governments that have ratified it to take specific steps to counter all forms of violence against women: from stalking to forced marriage and female genital mutilation. It is open for accession by non-Council of Europe member states and it is currently the only international legal instrument which explicitly mentions gender-related persecution. It has been ratified by 13 out of the 47 member states of the Council of Europe with 11 member states yet to sign it.

In a recent meeting with the President of LI full member, International Network of Liberal Women (INLW), Margaret De Vos Van Steenwijk, LI Vice-President on the Bureau Baroness Kishwer Falkner, committed to highlighting the importance of combatting gender-based violence by questioning the UK government on the Convention’s endorsement. Liberal International will join forces with INLW in pushing for the Convention’s global implementation by mobilising liberal parliamentarians in government and opposition and raising the issue before the upcoming 27th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in September. More details on the campaign will follow.
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