The European Commission clarified today that EU countries are obliged to apply certain parts of the Istanbul Convention even if they have not ratified the document or if they later decide to withdraw, BTA reports.
The EU has decided to join the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence (Istanbul Convention) in 2023, the EC spokesperson said in response to questions about Latvia's steps towards a potential withdrawal. He added that for two years now, parts of the convention have been binding on all member states.
Regarding Latvia, the spokesperson specified that a decision by the president on the matter is still awaited. Until it is taken, the EC will not make any comments. In order to initiate criminal proceedings, a legal basis is required, he explained.
The Istanbul Convention entered into force in April 2014 and was signed by the EU on 13 June 2017. The document has not been ratified by all Council of Europe member states, and Turkey, which ratified it, withdrew in 2021.