Violence Against Women

“Written declaration on the Council of Europe Convention on preventing

and combating violence against women and domestic violence

The European Parliament,

– having regard to Rule 123 of its Rules of Procedure,

A. Whereas the first European-wide human rights treaty addressing violence

against women, the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and

combating violence against women and domestic violence, was adopted in

May 2011, and yet to date only one country, Turkey, has ratified it;

B. Whereas violence against women is a major obstacle to gender equality

and is one of the most widespread human rights violations, knowing no

geographical, financial, cultural or social barriers;

C. Whereas seven women die every day from domestic violence in the EU, an

estimated one in five women falls victim to domestic violence, and direct and

indirect costs for EU Member States amount to 16 billion Euros every year

(Programme Daphne III, 2010);

1. Urges the European Union to ratify the Council of Europe Convention on

preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence

and encourages EU Member States to do likewise;

2. Urges the Commission and all Member States to collaborate with civil

society organisations working on violence against women to implement the

Convention;

3. Instructs its President to forward this declaration, together with the names

of the signatories, to the Council, the Commission, the Member States, the

Council of Europe and the United Nations.”

Word.

l’UE