Tensions rise in Latvia over Istanbul Convention
Riga, Latvia
Protests against the Lavaitian Parliament’s decision to withdraw from the Istanbul Convention broke out in the Latvian capital of Riga in early November. The treaty is designed to support women who are victims of violence, specifically domestic violence.
32 members of the parliament voted to remain in the treaty, while 56 voted to leave, arguing that the treaty contains a “radical feminism-based ideology of gender.” Latvia is the first country in the EU to withdraw from the treaty and has the highest rate of femicide in the EU.
In 2021, the European Institute of Gender Equality reported that 25 percent of Latvian women ages 18-74 had experienced some form of physical or sexual violence, with 16 percent of these crimes classified as intimate partner violence.
Supporters of treaty withdrawal argued that the bill promotes gender ideology, encourages sexual experimentation, and harms children. These claims reflect ongoing discussions about gender and sexuality in right-wing political spaces.
More than 10,000 people attended the “Let’s Protect Mother Latvia” protest on November 6, organized by the Latvian NGO Marta Centre, which provides resources and support for abuse victims.
Protest organizers condemned the actions of the Latvian government. “It is time to give a clear signal to both current parliament deputies and those who will come after them—we will not allow political games at the expense of human rights,” they said.
President of Latvia, Edgars Rinkēvičs, declined to sign the bill authorizing withdrawal from the treaty on November 4.
In response, President Rinkēvičs wrote a letter to the president of the Saeima, the Latvian Parliament, Daiga Mierina, who voted to ratify the treaty two years ago but denounced it during the recent legislative session. Rinkēvičs wrote, “The ratification and denunciation of the Convention during one Saeima term sends a contradictory message to both Latvian society and Latvia's allies internationally about Latvia's readiness to fulfill its international obligations in good faith.”
Additionally, Rinkēvičs urged parliament to establish an independent law protecting domestic violence victims, warning that without such legislation they risk creating “a legal vacuum and uncertainty, weakening the mechanisms for protecting victims.”
Despite President Rinkēvič's disapproval, if parliament chooses to override the president's veto and reintroduce the bill once again, he will not be able to veto a second time. Rinkēvičs has suggested that parliament leave this bill up to the discretion of the incoming parliament, whose leadership will be elected within the next year.
Despite these actions, The European Commission has directed Latvia “to uphold international protections for women.” Many human rights activists have commented on this ongoing situation.
Monica Costa Riba, Senior Campaigner on Women’s Rights for Amnesty International, said, “Latvia’s withdrawal from the Istanbul Convention would be a devastating blow to the protection and rights of the country’s women and girls and all people facing domestic violence. It sends a reckless and dangerous message to perpetrators that they can abuse and kill women and girls with impunity.”
Though tensions remain high in the country, there will be an official vote regarding the treaty on November 1, 2026.