Preventing & Combating Violence against Women through the Istanbul Convention of the Council of Europe

As presented to the Congress Plenary by the Working Group

Submitted by: the International Network of Liberal Women

The Congress of the Liberal International, convened in Rotterdam, The Netherlands, on 26 April 2014

Noting that

every day around the world, women face not just domestic violence but other forms of violence, including female mutilation, stalking and “honour” killings.
just recently for example new legislation passed by the Afghan parliament is threatening the safety and security of Afghan women and girls. If signed into law, the effects would be devastating – rapes, beatings and “honor” killings could occur with relative impunity, fathers could more easily arrange child marriages, and women and girls would have little chance of getting justice for violence against them. If a woman or girl is assaulted by a relative, not only would she be prevented from testifying against her attacker, but any other close relative of the accused assailant who was a witness, would also be barred. What Afghan women have achieved for women’s rights lately will be swept away if this legislation is signed by the President.

Considering

the Council of Europe and it’s member states resolved to reverse this trend.
this Convention provides practical measures to prevent violence, protect victims and prosecute perpetrators.
the Convention can lead to safety from fear and violence, because it is already shaping legislation, policies and practices in member states.
this Convention if implemented widely will influence states beyond the Council of Europe to take over the content and consequences of this Convention.
to enter into force at least ten member states must ratify this Convention. Andorra ratified as ninth in January. One more of the 24 signatory states is needed to let it enter into force.

Calls upon

the Liberal leaders and parliamentarians to take steps to get every member state of the Council of Europe to sign, ratify and implement this Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence;
all Liberals leaders and parliamentarians from countries not member of the Council of Europe to work on the globalization of the Istanbul Convention in their countries. They should work on the adoption of the content of the Convention by their governments;
all Liberal leaders and parliamentarians to work towards a worldwide Convention to be negotiated which should be a worldwide integral and effective instrument to prevent and combat violence against women and domestic violence.