RESTRICTION: USERS MUST CREDIT “LATVIAN PARLIAMENT” HANDOUT, MUST NOT OBSCURE LOGO —EDITORIAL USE ONLY—

SHOTLIST

RIGA, LATVIA (OCT. 30, 2025) (LATVIAN PARLIAMENT - RESTRICTED)

1. INTERIOR OF PARLIAMENT AS LAWMAKERS WAIT FOR VOTING

2. VARIOUS OF LATVIAN LAWMAKERS ADDRESSING (Latvian)

3. LAWMAKER ANNOUNCING RESULT OF VOTING AS OTHERS APPLAUDE

4. END OF PARLIAMENTARY SESSION RIGA, LATVIA - RESTRICTION: USERS MUST CREDIT “LATVIAN PARLIAMENT” HANDOUT, MUST NOT OBSCURE LOGO —EDITORIAL USE ONLY— OCT. 30, 2025: Latvia’s parliament has voted to withdraw from the Council of Europe’s Convention on preventing and combating violence against women, widely known as the Istanbul Convention.

Public broadcaster LSM reported that lawmakers approved the withdrawal after more than 13 hours of debate, with 56 votes in favor, 32 against, and two abstentions in the 100-seat parliament.

For the decision to take effect, President Edgars Rinkevics must sign it within 10 days. While he can return the bill to parliament for reconsideration, lawmakers can override the veto with a second approval.

The convention, which seeks to prevent domestic violence and protect victims, has been a point of contention among some governments citing conflicts with national traditions.

Türkiye became the first country to withdraw from the pact in March 2021, arguing that its national laws already provide sufficient protection for women.