Brussels, 11/04/2013 (Agence Europe) - At a seminar on Wednesday 10 April, the S&D Group at the European Parliament called on member states to make greater commitment in the fight against violence to women, and called on member states to ratify the Council of Europe's convention on the prevention of, and fight against, violence to women and domestic violence - the so-called Istanbul convention - a press release states.
In Europe, “seven women are killed every day and one woman in five has experienced severe physical violence at least once in her life”, the S&D Group points out.
Up until now only 17 member states have signed the convention, deplored leader of the S&D Group Hannes Swoboda (Austria), calling on those member states lagging behind to sign and ratify the convention as quickly as possible.
The convention, which dates back to April 2011, promotes the prevention of domestic violence, the protection of women who suffer violence, and the prosecution of the perpetrators of violence. The governments agreeing to be linked to the convention must take measures to train professionals who deal with victims, run awareness-raising campaigns, and work with NGOs. With regard to the protection of victims, the convention promotes measures for removal orders, the creation of centres for victims and the creation of 24-hour telephone helplines. With regard to prosecutions, the member states party to the convention must punish this violence and possibly introduce new infringements such as psychological and physical violence, sexual violence and rape, persecution, female genital mutilation, forced marriage, abortion and forced sterilisation. The member states party to the convention must also ensure that culture, traditions and “honour” are not considered as justifications for this violent behaviour.
The EU has recently acquired new tools to combat violence against women - with the recognition of protection orders issued in any member state, relating both to civil law and criminal. There is also a directive setting minimum standards for taking charge of victims of violence and bringing them specific help. The S&D Group considered, however, that these instruments were still not enough for fighting violence against women and domestic violence. (SP/transl.fl)