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Protesters gathered outside the legislative building this week

The Baltic nation's parliament members have voted to withdraw from an international accord designed to safeguard women from abuse, including domestic abuse, following prolonged and heated debates in the legislature.

Several thousand of protesters assembled in the capital this past week to voice disagreement with the vote. The ultimate authority now lies with President the nation's president, who must decide whether to approve or veto the legislation.

Known as the European treaty, the 2011 agreement only became active in Latvia last twelve months ago, requiring authorities to develop laws and assistance programs to end all forms of violence.

The Baltic nation has become the first European Union member to begin the procedure of withdrawing from the convention. The transcontinental nation pulled out in 2021, a move that human rights organizations characterized as a major regression for women's rights.

Ideological Controversy and Opposition

The treaty was approved by the EU in last year, yet traditionalist groups have contended that its focus on gender equality weakens family values and advances what they term "non-traditional gender concepts".

Following a thirteen-hour debate in the Saeima, lawmakers decided 56 to 32 to withdraw from the convention, a move sponsored by opposition parties but supported by politicians from one of the three coalition parties.

The outcome represents a defeat for centre-right Prime Minister Evika Silina, who joined protesters outside the legislature earlier this week. "We will not surrender, we will continue fighting so that abuse does not triumph," she declared to the crowd.

Political Disagreements and Reactions

One of the main political groups advocating for the exit is a nationalist party, whose head has called on the public to choose between what he terms a "natural family" and "gender ideology with various gender identities".

Latvia's ombudswoman Karina Palkova urged the agreement not to be made political, while the group the rights organization stated it was "not a danger to Latvian values, it served as a tool to realize them".

The Thursday's decision has provoked broad outcry both within Latvia and abroad.

22,000 people have signed a Latvian appeal calling for the treaty to be maintained. The women's rights organization Centrs Marta has called a protest for the coming week, accusing MPs of disregarding the wishes of the Latvian people.

International Concerns and Possible Future Actions

The head of the Council of Europe's legislative body commented that the Baltic state had made a rash choice fueled by misinformation. He described it as an "unprecedented and extremely worrying regression for female equality and fundamental freedoms in the continent".

He added that since Turkey left the treaty four years ago, instances of femicide and violence against women had increased significantly.

Because the vote did not achieve a supermajority majority, the president could potentially send back the legislation for additional consideration if he has objections.

Head of State Rinkevics stated on digital platforms that he would assess the vote according to legal requirements, "taking into account governmental and judicial factors, instead of belief-based perspectives".

Last week, another component of the governing alliance, the reformist party, indicated it would not rule out petitioning to the Constitutional Court.

"This vote represents a worrisome development for gender equality not only in Latvia but throughout Europe," commented a human rights activist.

• Family violence statistics have been increasing in multiple European countries
• The Istanbul Convention mandates specific safeguards for survivors of gender-based violence
• Latvia's vote could affect similar discussions in other EU countries