SEVERAL MEMBERS WROTE TO THEIR MP TO REQUEST THEIR ATTENDANCE AT PARLIAMENT ON FRIDAY 16TH DECEMBER – thank you Alan Campbell for your reply and your vote.
What is the Istanbul Convention?
It is a Council of Europe convention against violence against women and domestic violence which was opened for signature on 11 May 2011 in Istanbul, Turkey. The Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence.
The government signed up to the Istanbul Convention in June 2012 but is yet to formally ratify it, to make this written agreement official by signing it.
One Tory MP was accused of trying to “filibuster” the bill by talking for 78 minutes, but it progressed to the next stage by 135 votes to two.
Ministers said they are “committed” to the convention, which states that “it is the obligation of the state to fully address” violence against women “in all its forms”, and to take measures to prevent it, protect its victims and prosecute perpetrators..
During a debate of her bill, Ms Whiteford said the government needed to “take the Istanbul convention out of the bottom drawer” where it has been filed as something “too complicated, too difficult, too low a priority”. She said MPs from all sides of the house had signalled their support for the bill, adding: “I’m hopeful a united voice from parliament today can bring ratification significantly closer.
Home Office minister Mr Lewis replied that the government was “committed” to ratifying the convention. He said the government was working to tackle crimes which disproportionately affect women and girls, and said existing laws protected them in almost all cases. He confirmed the government would back the bill, but with some alterations at committee stage – such as removing a four-week timetable built in to it.
The government say domestic law needs to be changed prior to ratification, due to some “extraterritoriality” issues with parts of the convention cutting across local legal jurisdictions. Devolved administrations will also have to be consulted.
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