On Tuesday 25 April, the European Parliament’s Committee on Civil Liberties (LIBE) and Gender Equality (FEMM) Committees gave their consent for the ratification of the Istanbul Convention by the EU.
As this is a mixed agreement, the Swedish Presidency of the EU Council has submitted two draft decisions for ratification, both of which correspond to the Union’s competences on the matters covered by the Convention (see EUROPE 13126/12). For example, the one on the application of the Convention within the EU institutions and administrations (https://aeur.eu/f/5fn ) was validated by 74 votes in favour, 9 against and no abstentions. The second, on judicial cooperation, asylum and non-refoulement (https://aeur.eu/f/5fo ), received 73 votes in favour, 11 against and 4 abstentions.
Two ECR MEPs and two non-attached members from Fidesz (Hungary) proposed amendments to reverse the consent of the European Parliament. These were rejected in a vote by show of hands.
The European Parliament as a whole will have to vote on the two Council decisions at its May plenary session before the EU can ratify the Istanbul Convention. (Original version in French by Hélène Seynaeve)