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Protesters gathered outside the legislative building this week

The Baltic nation's lawmakers have voted to pull out from an international accord created to protect women from abuse, covering family violence, following prolonged and heated debates in the legislature.

Several thousand of demonstrators gathered in the capital this past week to voice disagreement with the decision. The ultimate authority now rests with President Edgars Rinkevics, who must determine whether to approve or reject the proposed law.

Known as the Istanbul Convention, the international accord only became active in the Baltic state last year, mandating authorities to establish laws and support services to end all forms of abuse.

The Baltic nation has become the first EU country to initiate the process of exiting from the convention. The transcontinental nation pulled out in 2021, a decision that human rights organizations described as a significant regression for women's rights.

Political Debate and Opposition

The treaty was ratified by the EU in last year, yet traditionalist factions have argued that its emphasis on equal rights weakens family values and advances what they term "non-traditional gender concepts".

Following a lengthy debate in the Saeima, MPs decided 56 to 32 to exit from the convention, a move proposed by opposition parties but supported by representatives from one of the three coalition parties.

The result represents a setback for moderate conservative Prime Minister Evika Silina, who stood with protesters outside parliament earlier this seven-day period. "We refuse to give up, we will persist in our struggle so that violence does not triumph," she stated to the assembly.

Political Divisions and Reactions

One of the primary political groups supporting the withdrawal is Latvia First, whose leader has urged the public to choose between what he terms a "natural family" and "gender ideology with multiple sexes".

Latvia's ombudswoman the rights official appealed for the agreement not to be politicized, while the organization Equality Now stated it was "not a danger to Latvian values, it was an instrument to realize them".

The Thursday's vote has sparked widespread outcry both within Latvia and internationally.

22,000 people have endorsed a national appeal demanding the treaty to be preserved. The gender equality group the rights center has called a protest for the coming week, accusing MPs of disregarding the wishes of the nation's citizens.

International Worries and Possible Future Actions

The leader of the European organization's parliamentary assembly commented that Latvia had made a rash decision driven by false information. He described it as an "unprecedented and deeply concerning regression for female equality and human rights in the continent".

He added that since Turkey left the treaty in 2021, instances of gender-based killings and abuse targeting females had risen sharply.

Because the vote did not achieve a two-thirds majority, the head of state could potentially send back the bill for additional consideration if he has concerns.

Head of State Rinkevics announced on social media that he would evaluate the decision according to constitutional principles, "considering state and legal factors, rather than belief-based viewpoints".

Recently, another component of the ruling coalition, the reformist party, suggested it would not exclude appealing to the Constitutional Court.

"This vote represents a concerning development for women's rights not only in our nation but throughout the continent," stated a rights advocate.

• Family violence rates have been rising in several EU countries
• The Istanbul Convention requires specific safeguards for victims of gender-based violence
• Latvia's vote could influence similar debates in additional EU countries