European treaty on violence against women to become binding

A European treaty specifically on violence against women and domestic violence will become binding on 1 August 2014.

The Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence, known as the "Istanbul Convention", obligates countries that ratify it to prevent, protect, prosecute and eliminate violence against women and domestic violence.

The Convention defines different forms of violence against women (including sexual, physical and psychological violence, forced marriage, female genital mutilation and stalking) and calls for their criminalisation. It provides minimum standards on prevention, protection, prosecution and services. Countries undertake to include a gender perspective in the implementation and evaluation of the impact of the Convention. Its provisions cover a range of areas including: comprehensive and coordinated policies, data collection, prevention, provision of services, investigation, legal procedings, migration and asylum.

Ten countries (Albania, Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Andorra, Italy, Montenegro, Portugal, Serbia, Spain, and Turkey) have ratified the treaty since its adoption on 11 May 2011. 25 of the 47 Council of Europe member countries have also signed the convention (the step prior to ratification).

Human Rights Watch advocate Gauri van Gulik says "This is a defining moment for women in Europe for whom the home is a place of danger."

"Violence against women is not a force of nature – it can be stopped. This convention is set to bring about practical changes that should ultimately improve the lives of women and girls across Europe."

Implementation of the Treaty will be monitored by an expert group which will conduct regular country visits and reviews.

Media:

Europe Treaty on Violence Against Women to Take Effect, Human Rights Watch, 24.04.2014