Latvian parliament votes to quit convention protecting women

Latvia’s parliament voted on Thursday to quit an international treaty aimed at combating violence against women, after a conservative partner in the ruling coalition broke ranks to support the move in defiance of both the prime minister and president.



The Istanbul Convention, established by the Council of Europe and signed by dozens of member states, defines violence against women as a violation of human rights and addresses various forms of gender-based violence.



But Latvian opponents of the treaty argue it introduces a definition of gender that goes beyond biological sex, framing it as a social construct. They say existing national laws are sufficient to address gender-based violence.



One of three coalition parties, the Greens and Farmers Union, broke ranks with Prime Minister Evika Silina and joined the opposition to push through the withdrawal by 56 votes in the 100-seat parliament.