In the midst of the Russian invasion, the Rada, the Ukrainian Parliament, ratified the Istanbul Convention on Monday, June 20. It is the first international treaty to set legally binding standards to address gender-based violence. According to the official count, 259 deputies voted for, 8 against, 28 voted blank and 47 abstained. “Historic decision! The Istanbul Convention ratified”welcomed on Twitter the official account of the Rada, shortly after the vote of the Ukrainian deputies.
Заступниця Голови Верховної Ради Олена Кондратюк @Ole_Kondratiuk
Верховна Ради України ІХ скликання ухвалила історичне рішення—ратифікувала Конвенцію Ради Європи про запобігання насильству стосовно жінок і домашньому насильству та боротьбу з цими явищами.https://t.co/1iL9ed4TUv pic.twitter.com/Q2qj3bd17G— Верховна Рада України (@verkhovna_rada) June 20, 2022
Ukraine signed the Istanbul Convention in 2011, an international treaty of the Council of Europe, a pan-European organization based in Strasbourg and of which Ukraine is a member. This text establishes a legal and institutional framework to combat violence against women and domestic violence.
“President Volodymyr Zelensky and all MPs who voted in favor of ratification cut yet another rope that had anchored Ukraine to the ‘Russian world'”welcomed for his part Serguiï Kyslytsya, the Ukrainian ambassador to the UN. “A historic event that will bring us into the EU even faster”applauded on Twitter Oleksandr Korniyenko, first deputy chairman of the Rada.
@ua_parliament has ratified the Istanbul Convention. A historic event that will bring us to the EU even faster. I thank colleagues for staying faithful to European values, as human rights are paramount! pic.twitter.com/ty8Z9oIWLk
— Oleksandr Korniyenko (@OlekKorn) June 20, 2022
The ratification of this international treaty protecting women “will consolidate Ukraine’s long-term commitment to preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence”rejoiced for her part Olga Stefanichyna, Deputy Prime Minister in charge of European integration.
“As women and girls are particularly vulnerable during the conflict, I warmly welcome” this ratification, declared the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Marija Pejcinovic Buric, seeing “a big step forward” for their protection. “Ukraine will become the 36th state to have ratified the Istanbul Convention”she noted.