‘More Equal Than Others:’ Istanbul Convention Represents Historic Threat to Equality and Human Rights

PRESS RELEASE

Contact: Rebecca Hain

‘More Equal Than Others:’ Istanbul Convention Represents Historic Threat to Equality and Human Rights

January 16, 2023 – A coalition of six organizations held a rally in Madrid this past Friday to protest the human rights policies of the Ministry of Equality (1). The Spanish demonstration represents the latest in a growing wave of efforts across Europe that is seeking to assure human rights for all (2).

These concerns arise from the controversial Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women, also known as the Istanbul Convention. Groups charge the Istanbul Convention violates a number of fundamental rights (3):

Rights of men, women in same-sex relationships, and the elderly who are victims of domestic abuse
Rights to religious freedoms and beliefs
Rights of parents to be the primary educators of children

Research conducted in Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, Cyprus, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Lithuania, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom reveals that each year, nearly identical numbers of men and women are victims of domestic violence (4). Domestic violence in same-sex relationships is also widespread (5).

It is ironic that a treaty that claims to be an advance for equality, in fact violates the human rights of millions of Europeans. Commentator Sean Parker reveals, “In an astonishing example of 21st century Newspeak, the IC also insists that discriminatory measures should not be considered to be discrimination: ‘Special measures that are necessary to prevent and protect women from gender-based violence shall not be considered discrimination under the terms of this Convention’ (IC Article 4).” (6)

The Istanbul Convention recalls the famous statement by George Orwell: “All animals are equal, but some are more equal than others.” Orwell’s commentary was designed to highlight the double-standard of policies that proclaim the equality of persons, but grant power and privileges to a small elite (7).

Member State lawmakers are invited to contact the Council of Europe to express your concerns: https://www.coe.int/en/web/istanbul-convention/form The European Parliament is urged to carefully consider these criticisms before deciding on a recommendation to forward the controversial treaty to the Council of Europe.

The Domestic Abuse and Violence International Alliance – DAVIA — consists of 69 member organizations from 25 countries in Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, Latin America, and North America. DAVIA seeks to ensure that domestic violence and abuse polices are science-based, family-affirming, and sex-inclusive. https://endtodv.org/davia/

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