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Hope the ratification succeeds
Speaking about the Istanbul Convention, which Lithuania signed in 2013, but has not ratified until now, V. Čmilytė-Nielsen stated that he sees opportunities to ratify it during the term of this Seimas.
She spoke about it in her own debate, “Violence against women: causes, forms and solutions”, on the occasion of February 14, the day to end non-violence against women.
“Even during the coalition negotiations, the issue of the Istanbul Convention was included in the agreement and it was one of the serious commitments. It is faithful to the part where it is obvious that not all the members of the Seimas belonging to the coalition will necessarily vote for it, but to the part of the work to be solved and prioritized, – he said and assured – “It will definitely not be left aside.”
Photo by Sigismund Gedvila / 15min / Victoria Čmilytė-Nielsen
She promised to raise the debate herself, as well as explore opportunities with human rights enthusiasts to combat violence against women.
“We will speak to representatives of all political groups. Ratification requires broad political support, as no group is likely to speak with one voice, as this is a question of courage.
And when it comes to matters of value, the members of the Seimas are particularly enthusiastic about exercising their right to a free mandate, “he said, lamenting that there could also be resistance, as the document is” covered “in various myths.
The president of the Seimas expressed his disappointment that a large number of people who oppose the ratification of the Convention have not read it themselves and have allowed their emotions to distort what is written in the document.
Therefore, it is important to bring together a variety of people who, even without being experts in human rights, are open to logic “rather than to arguments based on emotions, myths, fears, which are sufficient in public space” .
“I am convinced that this issue, as well as the issue of reproductive rights, as well as the issue of sexual education, will be high on the agenda of this Seimas,” expressed hope V. Čmilytė-Nielsen.
It would give tools to combat violence
“The convention alone will not solve all problems, but it gives us the tools to address gender-based violence at all levels,” he said.
According to the president of Seimas, the Istanbul Convention contains necessary provisions that are not reflected at all in Lithuanian law. For example, the subject of persecution.
“This is faced by several women who try to leave a violent relationship but who often do not get the help they need because the phenomenon is not sufficiently recognized or perhaps underestimated as harmless, although it sometimes becomes an introduction to physical outbreaks of violence.” She talked.
The convention alone will not solve all problems, but it gives us the tools to combat gender-based violence in all.
Unfortunately, V.Čmilytė-Nielsen emphasized, there are several opponents who claim without reason that all problems have been solved in Lithuania and that the Istanbul Convention is completely unnecessary, that the Lithuanian legal framework is perfect.
Politicians disagree
This year marks the 10th anniversary of the writing of the Istanbul Convention. In 2013, Lithuania signed it, but has not ratified it yet.
The Convention obliges States to prevent violence against women and domestic violence, guarantee the protection of victims, and prosecute the perpetrators.
It is based on the premise that violence against women is gender violence, thus enshrining the commitment of States to change public attitudes and combat gender stereotypes that tolerate violence against women.
VIDEO: Violence against women: causes, ways and solutions
However, for some Lithuanians, this convention is unacceptable due to provisions that have nothing to do with violence against women. Ratification of the convention is said to secretly change or abolish the concept of gender.
The Seimas has repeatedly tried to return to this issue, but so far no consensus has been reached.
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