Latvia's Parliament voted to withdraw from the Istanbul Convention, aiming to support women victims of violence. This decision marks Latvia as the first EU member to exit the treaty, raising concerns about women's rights.

On Thursday, the Latvian Parliament voted to withdraw from the Istanbul Convention, an international treaty aimed at providing support for women who are victims of violence. The vote, which concluded after a lengthy 13-hour debate, resulted in 56 lawmakers supporting the withdrawal, while 32 opposed it, with two abstentions. If finalized, Latvia will become the first European Union member state to exit the treaty, which was ratified by the same parliament in November 2024. The motion requires the signature of President Edgars Rinkevics, who has expressed disapproval but may not block the parliamentary decision. Critics of the convention, including ultra-conservative groups, argue that it promotes harmful ideologies. The withdrawal has prompted protests in Riga, with around 5,000 demonstrators opposing the decision, while only a small group supported it. This political move raises concerns about the future of women's rights in Latvia and could embolden anti-human rights movements across Europe.