II SÉRIE-D — NÚMERO 6

8

Implementation and monitoring

No matter how good the standards are, they are worthless if they are not implemented.

The Istanbul Convention adds value to its standards as it establishes a strong monitoring mechanism.

This mechanism will include two bodies:

- the GREVIO, Group of experts on action against violence against women and domestic violence, made

up of 10 to 15 members with a four year mandate;

- and the Committee of the Parties, composed of representatives of the State Parties to the Convention.

GREVIO members will be people competent in the fields of human rights, gender equality and violence

against women. They will have to be not only competent, but also independent in the exercise of their functions.

Parliaments will also be involved in monitoring the implementation of the Convention. Monitoring will be

based on reports submitted by the State parties, but also on information provided by the parliaments.

This involvement of parliamentarians is twofold: at national level, parliaments will participate in monitoring

the measures taken by the State parties to implement the Convention; at a European level, the Parliamentary

Assembly of the Council of Europe will be invited to regularly take stock of the Convention. It will have the

opportunity to raise concerns, indicate shortcomings, draw attention to the need to turn specific provisions of

the Convention into reality.

This is another innovative element of this landmark convention. And it’s good news not only for us

parliamentarians, but for all citizens. In fact, it is in the best interests of everybody that elected representatives

be allowed to give their contribution to the very important task of monitoring the implementation of the

Convention.

Raising awareness: the Network

The role of Parliamentarians in countering violence against women has a wide scope. Each of them can be

proactive and re-invent their role on a daily basis. They can launch initiatives to raise awareness on the issue,

liaise with civil society to be constantly up to date with the situation in the field. As I mentioned, this kind of

information will also be useful when the Convention enters into force, and parliaments will contribute to the

monitoring.

We have set up a special body within the Council of Europe Assembly: the Parliamentary Network Women

free from Violence. This body was established to participate in the Council of Europe campaign on Violence

against Women, in 2006-2008. Its members have organized literally hundreds of awareness raising initiatives.

That was really a thrilling time for all those who believe in this cause. At the end of the Campaign, we realized

that we needed to go ahead with the same great team and in the same line of work. The Parliamentary Network

is now represented in almost all Council of Europe member states and in our “Partner for democracy”

parliaments, the Parliament of Morocco and the Palestinian National Council.

Network members share information on legislation and policies in their respective countries. They organize

events and initiatives in the parliaments.

The Network has published a huge amount of information material. Just consider that our Handbook for

Parliamentarians on the Istanbul Convention, which can actually also be very useful for NGOs and other

stakeholders, is now available in 13 languages! For that, we have to thank the voluntary contributions of a

number of parliaments and other donors.

We have a Facebook page which is a precious source of information. I invite you all to “like” it and become

followers, as well as to subscribe our Newsletter, or to attend the auditions, conferences and auditions we

regularly organize to discuss with experts, victims or witnesses specific aspects of violence against women.

Going beyond the standards

The Convention is a golden standard. It has a wide scope and far-reaching objectives.