Instanbul Convention: what it is and why it is so important

The Istanbul Convention, established in May 2011, is the first treaty in Europe implemented to counter, prevent, and combat gender-based violence, understood as a violation of human rights. The Convention is a binding treaty to protect against all forms of discrimination; it refers to all acts of gender-based violence that cause physical, psychological, sexual, or economic harm, including threats of such acts, coercion, or arbitrary deprivation of freedom both in public and private life, and any deeply traumatizing act.

HISTORY OF THE INSTANBUL CONVENTION

In response to various national studies and surveys revealing a high rate of domestic and gender-based violence, the Council of Europe, starting in the 1990s, undertook a series of initiatives to promote the protection of women, adopting resolutions and recommendations as binding norms to prevent, protect, and prosecute the most severe and widespread forms of gender-based violence. The need for harmonized legal standards to ensure that victims benefit from the same level of protection across Europe became evident. There was increased political will to act: justice ministers from Council of Europe member states began discussing the need to strengthen protection against domestic violence, particularly intimate partner violence. Taking its leading role in protecting human rights, the Council of Europe decided that global standards were necessary to prevent and combat violence against women and domestic violence. In December 2008, the Committee of Ministers established a group of experts tasked with preparing a draft convention in this area. Over a little more than two years, this group, known as CAHVIO (Ad Hoc Committee for the Prevention and Combating of Violence against Women and Domestic Violence), developed a draft text. The draft of the convention was finalized in December 2010. The convention was adopted by the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe on April 7, 2011. It was opened for signature on May 11, 2011, during the 121st session of the Committee of Ministers in Istanbul, which was the first country to ratify it. After the tenth ratification by Andorra on April 22, 2014, it entered into force on August 1, 2014.

THE FOUR PILLARS OF THE INSTANBUL CONVENTION

The Convention is based on four pillars: Preventing by raising awareness about cultural issues that lead to gender-based violence. Introducing topics on gender equality into educational programs, overturning role stereotypes that justify any behavior leading to violence. Protecting victims through special protection structures, providing free and accessible medical and psychological assistance 24/7. Prosecuting, through legal and criminal aspects, any person who has committed an act of gender-based violence. Each State adhering to the Convention is obliged to support victims, ensuring that violence is duly punished and not justified by cultural or social aspects, guaranteeing that law enforcement services provide an immediate response to requests for assistance. Integrated Policies: Every institution ensures commitment to the measures outlined by the Convention, them taking responsibility for them.

SIGNATORY COUNTRIES

As of 2024, the Istanbul Convention has been ratified by 38 member states. Among these are most European countries, including Italy, France, Germany, and many others. As of October 2023, the European Union has also officially become a party to the Convention, marking a further step in the fight against gender-based violence at the continental level. However, despite its success, some countries have withdrawn their ratification, such as Turkey, which withdrew in 2021, prompting widespread international criticism.