Latvian Parliament votes to withdraw from domestic violence treaty

WARSAW, Poland (AP) — The Latvian Parliament voted on Thursday to withdraw from the Istanbul Convention, an international treaty aimed at supporting women who are victims of violence, after a 13-hour session of intense debate.

The Council of Europe treaty entered into force in Latvia in 2024 and is meant to standardize support for women who are victims of violence, including domestic abuse. However, ultra-conservative groups and political parties across Europe have criticized the treaty in recent years, arguing that it promotes “gender ideology,” encourages sexual experimentation and harms children.

In September, opposition lawmakers in Latvia initiated a process to potentially withdraw from the treaty. They were joined by the Union of Greens and Farmers, an agrarian alliance member of t