Open letter on the Latvian parliament’s move to withdraw from the Istanbul Convention

To the members of the Parliament of the Republic of Latvia and the President of Latvia,

OPEN LETTER ON THE LATVIAN PARLIAMENT’S MOVE TO WITHDRAW FROM THE ISTANBUL CONVENTION

We, the undersigned, express our deep concern and firm opposition to the decision of the Latvian Parliament in its first reading to support the withdrawal from the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence (the Istanbul Convention).

The Istanbul Convention is the most comprehensive international legal instrument designed to prevent violence, protect victims and prosecute perpetrators. Its sole purpose is to eliminate violence against women and domestic violence while promoting gender equality and safeguarding human dignity. By ratifying the Convention, Latvia affirmed that protection from violence is not a private matter, but a legal obligation of the state under international law.

At a time when Latvia, Europe, and the wider international community face deep political, military and economic challenges, we urge our government to demonstrate unity, responsibility, and strategic clarity. Civil society organisations and citizens alike expect our leaders to prioritise national security and social stability – not to divert attention to divisive cultural debates. The security of our country must remain the highest priority.
Attempts to use issues of fundamental human rights for short-term political gain only fragment our society and distract from the urgent task of strengthening Latvia’s resilience and defence capabilities.

Violence remains a reality in Latvia. According to Eurostat-based data, one in four women and one in five men in Latvia between the ages of 18 and 74 have experienced physical or sexual violence. Withdrawing from the Istanbul Convention would not solve any legal or constitutional concern – it would simply remove an international framework that supports Latvia in combating this widespread human rights violation.

Arguments suggesting that the Convention threatens so-called “traditional values” or national constitutional identity have already been examined and rejected by the Constitutional Court of Latvia. The Court clearly concluded that the object and purpose of the Convention is the eradication of violence, and that its provisions do not change the constitutional understanding of family nor impose any ideological obligations on the state. The Convention complements, rather than replaces, the Latvian legal system.

As of this writing, certain political groups in Parliament have proposed replacing the Convention with a solely national declaration “On the prevention and elimination of violence against women and domestic violence.” However, such a declaration, while symbolically important, cannot provide the same level of legal protection or international accountability. Unlike international conventions, national declarations do not bind the state to external monitoring mechanisms, do not ensure victims’ rights are upheld under internationally recognized standards, and do not offer the same framework for cooperation, expertise and support. Replacing a binding convention with a unilateral declaration would represent a clear lowering of standards and a retreat from
Latvia’s international commitments.

From an international perspective, withdrawal would undermine Latvia’s credibility within the Council of Europe and the European Union. It would signal a departure from shared European values, weaken our state’s moral authority, and risk diminishing trust and cooperation in areas ranging from security to youth initiatives and economic development. In a time of rising geopolitical threats, Latvia must show unity of purpose, commitment to European cooperation, and a clear focus on defence and resilience – not retreat from international human rights standards.

The Istanbul Convention is important not only for women and families today – it sends a message to the next generation that Latvia stands with the victims, not with the perpetrators. It affirms that our country belongs to the community of democratic nations that protect human dignity, equality and justice for all.

campaigns, nor sacrificed for political expediency. National security, social cohesion and the protection of human dignity must be affirmed clearly and publicly as Latvia’s highest priorities.

By withdrawing from the Convention, the Parliament would be taking a step backward in human rights, public safety, and international cooperation. This decision would weaken protection mechanisms for victims, reduce accountability for abusers, and send a dangerous message that violence is a negotiable issue.

Violence is not a cultural value. We urge the Parliament of the Republic of Latvia to remain on the right side of history, uphold the rule of law and human dignity, and ensure that Latvia continues to stand as a strong, democratic and secure European nation.