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Protesters gathered outside the legislative building this week

Latvia's parliament members have decided to pull out from an international accord designed to safeguard females from violence, covering family violence, following prolonged and heated discussions in the parliament.

Thousands of demonstrators gathered in Riga this week to oppose the decision. The final authority now rests with President Edgars Rinkevics, who must determine whether to approve or reject the proposed law.

Known as the European treaty, the international accord only took effect in the Baltic state last year, requiring governments to develop laws and support services to end all forms of abuse.

The Baltic nation has become the first EU country to begin the procedure of exiting from the convention. The transcontinental nation pulled out in 2021, a move that human rights organizations characterized as a major regression for women's rights.

Ideological Controversy and Resistance

The treaty was approved by the European Union in 2023, yet conservative factions have argued that its focus on equal rights weakens traditional families and advances what they term "non-traditional gender concepts".

Following a lengthy debate in the Saeima, MPs decided 56 to 32 to withdraw from the treaty, a action proposed by political opponents but supported by representatives from one of the three governing partners.

The result represents a setback for centre-right government leader the nation's PM, who joined demonstrators outside the legislature earlier this week. "We refuse to give up, we will persist in our struggle so that abuse will not prevail," she stated to the crowd.

Political Divisions and Reactions

One of the primary parties supporting the withdrawal is Latvia First, whose leader has called on the public to select from what he terms a "natural family" and "gender ideology with multiple sexes".

Latvia's ombudswoman the rights official urged the treaty not to be politicized, while the group Equality Now asserted it was "not a danger to Latvian values, it was an instrument to realize them".

The Thursday's vote has sparked broad protest both within Latvia and abroad.

Twenty-two thousand individuals have signed a Latvian appeal demanding the convention to be maintained. The women's rights organization the rights center has announced a protest for next Thursday, charging lawmakers of disregarding the wishes of the nation's citizens.

International Worries and Possible Future Actions

The head of the European organization's legislative body stated that the Baltic state had made a rash choice fueled by misinformation. He described it as an "unprecedented and deeply concerning step backward for female equality and fundamental freedoms in the continent".

He noted that since the transcontinental nation abandoned the treaty four years ago, cases of gender-based killings and abuse targeting females had risen sharply.

Because the decision did not achieve a two-thirds support, the president could possibly return the legislation for additional review if he has concerns.

President Rinkevics announced on social media that he would evaluate the decision according to constitutional principles, "taking into account governmental and judicial considerations, instead of ideological or political perspectives".

Last week, another member of the ruling coalition, the Progressives, suggested it would not rule out appealing to the supreme judicial body.

"This vote represents a concerning development for women's rights not only in our nation but throughout the continent," stated a rights advocate.

• Domestic abuse statistics have been rising in multiple EU countries
• The European treaty mandates specific safeguards for survivors of domestic abuse
• Latvia's decision could influence similar debates in additional member states