[ad_1]
“The heated public debate on the ratification of the Istanbul Convention has shown that both sides, FOR and AGAINST, have their views and are very active in defending them. In the public sphere, it is often argued that this is not possible. leave the decision of such a sensitive issue in the hands of 141 members of the Seimas, because the ratification of this document would affect everyone in Lithuania: families, children, people who defend freedom of expression … In addition, the lawyers point out that the ratified Convention It shall prevail over the national legislation of Lithuania, including the Constitution.
Today, I appealed to the Central Electoral Commission (CEC) for the possibility of calling a referendum on the ratification of the Istanbul Convention. Let our nation decide for itself whether it needs this international agreement or not, ”says M. Puidokas.
According to him, the basic law of our state, the Constitution, establishes that the will of the nation can be expressed by organizing a mandatory referendum.
“I will fight for a referendum on the ratification of the Istanbul Convention and so that all the inhabitants of our country can express their opinion! The laws currently in force in Lithuania state that international treaties, such as the Istanbul Convention, are approved by the Seimas, and it is not clear whether an additional referendum can be held on this issue. I am awaiting the response of the CEC, then it will be possible to take further action “, says M. Puidokas, vice-chairman of the European Affairs Commission of the Seimas and member of the Social Affairs and Labor Commission of the Seimas.
The politician emphasizes the need to listen to all the people of Lithuania. Furthermore, in his opinion, an official translation of the Istanbul Convention into Lithuanian is necessary, which has not been done so far.
“The translation found in the public space is not entirely accurate and may mislead those who read it,” says a member of the Seimas Labor Party faction.
You also have questions about the deadlines for organizing such a referendum.
“Referendums are often compared to ordinary elections. I asked the CEC a question: if a referendum is held, will this mean that the issue of consideration and ratification of the Istanbul Convention should be suspended in the Seimas? If so, both parties will have time to prepare. Let the people of Lithuania meet, after all, the issues that change the Constitution must be resolved by referendum, not by amendments to the law in the Seimas, “says the politician.
According to him, our neighbor Poland has started the procedure for the revocation of ratification.
“In this country, the Istanbul Convention has been ratified by the liberal government of Donald Tusk and, as it turned out, causes many problems of legal treatment. More than 300 European non-governmental organizations have appealed to the Council of Europe, expressing concern about the vague provisions of the Istanbul Convention and pointing out that the convention only misleads and divides the public, ”says M. Puidokas.
No part of this publication may be reproduced without the written permission of ELTA.
[ad_2]
