Council of Europe’s Post

Today is a very important anniversary: 10 years of the Istanbul Convention of the Council of Europe , a beacon for rights that are still being violated much too often. The convention was born in 2014 and it's the convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence. It's based on the understanding that violence against women is a form of gender-based violence that is committed against women because they are women. It is the obligation of the state to address it fully in all its forms and to take measures to prevent violence against women, protect its victims and prosecute the perpetrators. Failure to do so would make it the responsibility of the state. You can find the full text of the convention (in different languages) here: https://lnkd.in/dVaHdzd4 #stayunited #makeyourmark

Celebrating 10 years of the entry into force of the #IstanbulConvention! 👏 The Istanbul Convention saves lives and offers the most comprehensive legal framework to prevent and combat #ViolenceAgainstWomen and #DomesticViolence. It’s the furthest reaching international legal text on violence against women and serves as a basis for concrete actions to be taken by many countries in and beyond Europe. Read more: https://lnkd.in/dkaxv2JZ

I recently learned more about the far-reaching consequences of domestic violence in the different panels of the FJT. There is still a lot of work ahead! How can I support victims of domestic violence? “Often, people hear loud or violent fighting at their neighbor’s home. Or a friend notices wounds and feels worried. It is good to act in these cases. If you suspect a concrete danger, you can call the police directly. The police can be reached in German 24/7 by calling the emergency number 110. Don’t worry: If it is a false alarm and everything is OK, then nothing will happen to you. It is better to call once too often than not to call when it may have been necessary. The police will not reveal your name. If you do not speak German or would like to speak to a counselor first, you can also call the helpline “Gewalt gegen Frauen”. Consultants are available to speak to you in several languages around the clock. Together with you, they will look for a solution to protect the victim. You can reach this helpline at: 0800 116 016. This service is free of charge.” (https://lnkd.in/eAFFjrFm)

The impact of the #IstanbulConvention in Denmark ⚖️💪 The Council of Europe’s #IstanbulConvention paves the way for freeing women and girls from violence and abuse. The Istanbul Convention saves lives and offers the most comprehensive legal framework to prevent and combat #ViolenceAgainstWomen and #DomesticViolence. It’s the most far-reaching international legal text on violence against women and serves as a basis for concrete actions to be taken by many countries in and outside Europe. Read more about the Convention: https://lnkd.in/eDPBBBf 

The impact of the #IstanbulConvention in Moldova ⚖️💪 The #IstanbulConvention is more than a treaty: 🧡 it’s a lifeline for women and girls;  🧡 it’s a European landmark treaty to end violence against women;  🧡it’s a response to multiple forms of violence against women,  🧡 it’s based on 4 pillars: Prevention, Protection, Prosecution, and Co-ordinated Policies. #IstanbulConventionSavesLives! Read more about the Convention: https://lnkd.in/eDPBBBf

The impact of the #IstanbulConvention in Moldova ⚖️💪 The #IstanbulConvention is more than a treaty: 🧡 it’s a lifeline for women and girls;  🧡 it’s a European landmark treaty to end violence against women;  🧡it’s a response to multiple forms of violence against women,  🧡 it’s based on 4 pillars: Prevention, Protection, Prosecution, and Co-ordinated Policies. #IstanbulConventionSavesLives! Read more about the Convention: https://lnkd.in/eDPBBBf

On February 6, 2024, a historic agreement was reached between the Council and the European Parliament, resulting in the creation of the first-ever EU law on violence against women and domestic violence. The agreement underscores the EU's dedication to advancing women's rights and safety, marking a significant step in the fight against gender-based violence. However, the lack of a unified definition of rape has sparked controversy, but member states have pledged to promote the understanding that non-consensual sex is a crime. The European Commission will monitor the law's progress every five years to ensure implementation and effectiveness, holding member states accountable for combating gender-based violence. Overall, the agreement represents a significant leap towards societal change and is seen as a beacon of hope for women's safety and empowerment in Europe. Read more: https://loom.ly/TvwUZzE #BerthasLegacy #SocialJustice #StopViolenceAgainstWomen #EndTheSilence #JusticeForSurvivors #BreakTheSilence #EmotionalAbuseAwareness #DomesticViolenceAwareness

Yesterday, the EU reached a historic deal on the first-ever Directive on combatting violence against women and domestic violence. Read our short explainer to learn about the key victories and the main shortcomings of this crucial piece of legislation 👇 More info: https://lnkd.in/eZcQ_TFC

A non-widely discussed (almost hidden) GREVIO Evaluation Report on the state of the art of the residual implementation of the Istanbul Convention against violence against women and domestic violence of the Council of Europe by the Greek Authorities. Some improvements were achieved but many serious shortcomings are released in this report in light of the condemnation of the country in the European Court of Human Rights- case X v. Greece (38588/21) for violations of the Convention and the failure of investigative and judicial authorities to adequately respond to rape allegations and submit the case to the careful scrutiny required, published on 13 February 2024. Alerting signs for the rule of law and the respect of human and women rights in the country. #genderequality #womensrights #supportwomen #internationalwomensday2024

Disappointing news! The French and German governments are blocking a consent-based definition of rape in the proposed EU directive on combating violence against women and domestic violence. This means the EU’s first ever directive on the matter WILL NOT include the crime of rape. This move jeopardises a long-awaited law that sets minimum standards to prevent and combat violence against women across Europe. At this critical time when women's rights are under attack across the globe and when 1 in 3 women experience violence in their lifetime, it is vital that the EU plays a leadership role in promoting and defending women's rights. We call on EU member states to ensure that a robust directive is passed that is in line with standards set in the Istanbul Protocol without delay. #EndViolenceAgainstWomen Read more here: https://lnkd.in/ekNyJDXZ