Latvian parliament Approves Declaration on Violence Amidst Istanbul Convention Debate
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Latvia’s Saeima, the country’s parliament, on Thursday passed a declaration affirming its commitment too combating violence, particularly against women and children, as a contentious debate continues over the nation’s relationship with the council of Europe’s Istanbul Convention. The declaration, spearheaded by the National Union (NA), Green and Farmers’ Union (ZZS), and “United List” (AS) factions, aims to provide a domestic framework for addressing violence, but has been met with criticism from opposition parties who view it as a symbolic gesture lacking the legal weight of the international treaty.
A Declaration Born of Disagreement
The declaration was developed as an alternative to the Istanbul Convention, a comprehensive treaty focused on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence. Fifty-six members of parliament from ZZS, NA, AS, “Stability,” and “Latvija first” (LPV) voted in favor, with Deputy Andrejs Celapīters also supporting the measure. Members of the “New Unity” (JV) faction, along with Skaidrīte Ābrama, Igors Rajevs, and Didzis Šmits, abstained from the vote.
However, the move has ignited a political firestorm. All eight members of the “Progressives” party voted against the declaration, voicing strong concerns about its implications for Latvia’s commitment to international human rights standards.
Concerns Over International Alignment
“Their relatives and friends wriet to us, asking why Latvia is taking a step backwards,” saeid Marija Golubeva (P), highlighting the international scrutiny surrounding the decision. In response, Aija Kalniņa-Lukaševica (NA) defended the declaration, stating it does not contradict international law but lacks the legal force of an internationally binding convention and cannot provide additional protection. She further clarified that the Saeima can task the government with developing a law, but a declaration alone cannot compel action. JV chose to abstain from the vote to highlight what they see as the creation of a false alternative. “We must remain in the space of European values,” she asserted, warning against drifting towards a “Cauldron of the East.”
ideological Divide and Future Legislation
The debate has exposed deep ideological divisions within the Latvian parliament. Ināra Mūrniece (NA) countered Kalniņa-Lukaševica’s assessment, arguing that parliament can direct the government through its decisions and urging Prime Minister Evika Siliņa (JV) to begin drafting the required legislation.
Harijs Rokpelnis, ZZS faction leader, emphasized the power of the written word, pointing to a draft law that affirms the Latvian parliament’s stance against violence. The declaration calls for the advancement of a comprehensive law on preventing and eradicating violence against women, children, and families by March 1, 2026, outlining state obligations, victim support, and accountability for perpetrators.
However, Līga Rasnača (P) raised concerns about latvia’s international alignment, noting that Turkey is the only country to have denounced the Istanbul Convention, and that Turkey granted women the right to vote decades after Latvia. She rhetorically questioned whether Latvia is prepared to distance itself from international agreements and embrace “narrow, provincial values.”
Accusations and Political Maneuvering
The debate also descended into accusations of political maneuvering. One deputy stated that the debate itself was “violence against human intelligence,” suggesting that ZZS’s support for the declaration was motivated by political expediency. Edmunds Jurēvics,leader of the JV Saeima faction,accused opposition colleagues of being “entangled in their arguments and the networks of the Kremlin’s disinformation campaign,” and attempting to conceal their “shame” with the declaration.
Amil Salimovs (“Stability”) expressed confusion over the focus of the debate, questioning whether it was about violence or political influence within the Saeima.
Despite the controversy, the declaration passed, signaling a shift in Latvia’s approach to combating violence. The coming months will be crucial in determining whether the declaration translates into concrete legislative action and whether Latvia can navigate its complex relationship with the Istanbul Convention and its international partners.
