Ukraine’s Verkhovna Rada Monday ratified the Council of Europe’s Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence (“Istanbul Convention“). In a 259-8 Vote, the Parliament ratified the Convention after previously signing it on 7 November, 2011.

The Director of Amnesty International Ukraine, Oksana Pokalchuk, welcomed the historic moment and said the “decision could not be more timely, amid disturbing reports and allegations of sexual violence against Ukrainian women in Russian-occupied territories.”

Marija Pejčinović Burić, Council of Europe’s Secretary General, supported the Ukraine Parliament’s decision and said:

As women and girls are particularly vulnerable during the conflict, I warmly welcome the approval by the Ukrainian Parliament of the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence. This is a huge step forward in protecting women and girls from all forms of violence, whether in Ukraine or abroad.