In a dramatic move this week, the parliament of Latvia voted 56–44 to withdraw from the Istanbul Convention , the international agreement aimed at combating violence against women and domestic violence.
The vote followed intense debate in Riga, where demonstrators gathered in the thousands to protest the decision and warn of its consequences. Rights-groups swiftly condemned the move, pointing out that removing the treaty’s protection weakens women’s legal safeguards and signals a shift away from international norms.
Prime Minister Evika Siliņa had opposed the withdrawal, warning that it would undermine Latvia’s standing among Europe’s rights-aware nations. Yet the governing coalition, led by conservative voices, argued that existing national laws suffice and that the treaty “promotes ideology” instead of practical action.
For women in Latvia and beyond, the decision raises urgent questions. Support services for survivors of abuse, frameworks for cross-border enforcement and regional cooperation on gender-based violence were all underpinned by the convention. Without it, critics argue, gaps may widen, leaving more women vulnerable.
As the world watches, Latvia’s exit may embolden similar moves in other nations , and set back years of progress in legal protections for women across Europe.
