The European Union Ratifies the Istanbul Convention

29-06-2023 

Sofía Medina Sánchez 

International Justice and Human Rights Researcher,

Global Human Rights Defence.

On the 28th of June 2023, the European Union has ratified the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence, otherwise known as the “Istanbul Convention”. Ambassador Mårten Ehnberg, Permanent Representative of Sweden to the Council of Europe, and Helena Dalli, European Commissioner for Equality, have deposited the instrument of approval in a ceremony at the Palais de l’Europe. The treaty, as of today, has been ratified by 38 Parties (37 States and the EU). It is also signed by all EU Member States and ratified by 21. 

“For us to live in a fair and equal European Union, women and girls must be able to live free from fear, violence, and everyday insecurity. With the ratification of the Istanbul Convention, the EU guarantees that minimum criminal legal standards apply to counter violence against women and domestic violence across the union, and the message that tackling these forms of violence is a priority”, said Commissioner Dalli.

The Istanbul Convention creates the possibility of the establishment of a legal framework at pan-European level to protect women against all types of violence and prevent, prosecute, and eliminate violence against women. Moreover, a monitoring mechanism denominated GREVIO has been established by the Convention in order to ensure effective implementation of its provisions. 

“The Declaration adopted in the Council of Europe Summit of Heads of State and Government in Reykjavik endorsed the Council of Europe’s pioneering role in the fight against violence against women and domestic violence. With Ukraine, the United Kingdom and the Republic of Moldova ratifying just last year and now the European Union, I have no doubt that this positive trend and virtuous circle will continue. I hope that EU member states that have not yet become states parties will now be inspired to do so”, highlighted Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić.

With respect to the European Union, the Convention will enter into force on 1st October 2023. This Convention represents a step forward to the prevention of violence against women and the EU’s ratification will hopefully encourage further ratification by States. 

Sources and further reading: 

Council of Europe, Newsroom, The European Union deposited the instrument of approval of the “Istanbul Convention”, 28 June 2023: https://www.coe.int/en/web/portal/-/the-european-union-deposited-the-instrument-of-approval-of-the-istanbul-convention-. 

Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence (CETS No. 210), “Istanbul Convention”, entered into force 1 August 2014: https://www.coe.int/en/web/conventions/full-list?module=treaty-detail&treatynum=210