The European Parliament voted in favor of EU accession to the Istanbul Convention, which aims to prevent and combat violence against women. The convention was originally signed six years ago, but the refusal of some member states prevented it from being ratified. However, a recent opinion from the EU Court of Justice found that the EU may ratify the convention without unanimity of member states.

The EU ratified the Istanbul Convention with 469 members states in favor, 104 against, and 55 abstentions. The countries that have yet to ratify the convention include Bulgaria, Czechia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania and Slovakia. Member states who have signed and ratified the treaty must adopt measures which actively prevent domestic violence and gender-based violence in addition to protecting women and girls.

The issue ended up in the EU Court of Justice because certain EU member states refused to assent to the Istanbul Convention’s ratification. In October 2021, the court handed down an opinion stating that the EU may ratify the convention without unanimity of the council. Rather, the court found that ratification could occur so long as a majority of member states agreed.

The convention is the first legally binding international instrument that aims to create a legislative framework to ensure an international standard in combating violence against women and girls. However, some member states, who have faced criticism in the past for infringing upon the rule of law, are attempting to withdraw from the convention. For example, Turkey gave notice of its withdrawal from the convention in 2021.