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Protesters gathered outside the legislative building this week

Latvia's parliament members have voted to withdraw from an international accord created to safeguard females from violence, including family violence, following prolonged and heated discussions in the legislature.

Thousands of demonstrators gathered in Riga this week to oppose the decision. The ultimate authority now lies with Head of State Edgars Rinkevics, who must determine whether to approve or veto the proposed law.

Known as the European treaty, the international accord only took effect in Latvia last twelve months ago, requiring governments to develop legal frameworks and support services to eliminate all types of violence.

Latvia has become the initial EU country to begin the procedure of exiting from the convention. Turkey pulled out in two years ago, a decision that human rights organizations characterized as a major regression for gender equality.

Political Debate and Opposition

The international agreement was approved by the EU in last year, yet conservative groups have argued that its focus on gender equality weakens family values and advances what they term "gender ideology".

Following a thirteen-hour debate in the Latvian parliament, lawmakers voted 56 to 32 to withdraw from the convention, a move proposed by political opponents but backed by politicians from one of the three governing partners.

The outcome represents a defeat for moderate conservative government leader the nation's PM, who stood with demonstrators outside the legislature earlier this week. "We refuse to give up, we will persist in our struggle so that violence will not prevail," she stated to the crowd.

Political Disagreements and Reactions

One of the primary parties supporting the withdrawal is a nationalist party, whose leader has called on citizens to select from what he terms a "natural family" and "gender ideology with multiple sexes".

The nation's human rights commissioner Karina Palkova urged the agreement not to be made political, while the group Equality Now stated it was "not a threat to Latvian values, it was an instrument to achieve them".

The recent decision has sparked widespread outcry both within the country and abroad.

Twenty-two thousand people have signed a Latvian petition demanding the treaty to be maintained. The gender equality group the rights center has announced a demonstration for next Thursday, accusing lawmakers of disregarding the will of the Latvian people.

Global Concerns and Possible Future Actions

The leader of the European organization's parliamentary assembly commented that the Baltic state had made a rash decision fueled by misinformation. He described it as an "never-before-seen and deeply concerning step backward for women's rights and fundamental freedoms in Europe".

He added that since Turkey abandoned the treaty in 2021, instances of femicide and violence against women had risen sharply.

Because the vote did not achieve a supermajority support, the head of state could possibly return the legislation for additional review if he has concerns.

President the national leader stated on digital platforms that he would assess the decision according to legal principles, "taking into account governmental and judicial considerations, instead of belief-based perspectives".

Last week, another member of the ruling coalition, the reformist party, suggested it would not exclude appealing to the Constitutional Court.

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

• Family violence statistics have been increasing in several EU countries
• The European treaty mandates particular safeguards for survivors of gender-based violence
• The nation's vote could affect comparable discussions in other member states