Czech Government Formally Reverses Support for Istanbul Convention Ratification

 

Czech Government Formally Reverses Support for Istanbul Convention Ratification

PRAGUE — The Czech government, led by Prime Minister Andrej Babiš, has officially revoked its executive backing for the ratification of the Istanbul Convention. The decision, taken during the cabinet's final meeting on Monday, rescinded a 2023 resolution from the previous administration that supported the Council of Europe treaty aimed at preventing domestic and sexual violence. The move effectively halts a parliamentary approval process that has been stalled since 2016. Human rights organizations and opposition figures strongly criticized the decision, labeling it a "sad signal" for victims of domestic abuse, while opponents maintained that existing Czech domestic legislation provides sufficient protection.

• Source: Expats.cz

Council of Europe Reevaluates Perpetrator Programmes Under the Istanbul Convention Framework

 

Council of Europe Reevaluates Perpetrator Programmes Under the Istanbul Convention Framework

The Council of Europe has initiated discussions geared toward developing and implementing effective perpetrator programs in alignment with European standards. Rooted in the mandates of the Istanbul Convention, the regulatory framework specifically requires participating parties to establish and actively support comprehensive programs aimed at rehabilitating perpetrators to prevent further occurrences of domestic and gender-based violence.

Sources:

• The Council of Europe: Toward effective perpetrator programmes in line with European standards

Ukrainian Civil Society Advances Istanbul Convention Implementation

 

Ukrainian Civil Society Advances Istanbul Convention Implementation

In an ongoing effort to combat violence against women and domestic violence, the Ukrainian charitable foundation "Sylni" has successfully concluded an educational project supporting the implementation of the Council of Europe's Istanbul Convention in Ukraine. The initiative, titled "Stop to violence: raising teenage boys to respect women and girls," targeted key adult influencers, including parents, teachers, and psychologists. By providing online courses and practical emotional regulation tools, the project aimed to address harmful gender stereotypes and foster respectful, non-violent attitudes toward women and girls.

Source Link: https://www.coe.int/en/web/kyiv/-/ukrainian-civil-society-supports-the-implementation-of-the-istanbul-convention

Committee of the Parties to the Istanbul Convention Holds 20th Meeting in Strasbourg

 

Committee of the Parties to the Istanbul Convention Holds 20th Meeting in Strasbourg

The Committee of the Parties to the Istanbul Convention convened for its 20th official meeting in Strasbourg on June 2, 2026. The committee serves as the oversight body for the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence. During this session, representatives from member states discussed ongoing compliance, regulatory frameworks, and engaged in scheduled administrative elections to steer the committee's future operations.

Sources & Links:

• The Council of Europe: The Committee of the Parties to the Istanbul Convention held its 20th meeting