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Believe me, it is also thanks to the personal commitment of the members of the Parliamentary Network

Women Free from Violence that we have achieved 8 ratifications.

This is for me the clearest example of the use of the dual mandate by Assembly members, and the

demonstration that what we do in Strasbourg can and must have an impact at national level.

In the draft resolution that I submit to you I make additional proposals for future Network activities and I

suggest that Network members promote the setting up of special caucuses/informal groups on violence against

women in their national parliaments.

The role of parliamentarians

In view of the approaching entry into force of the Istanbul Convention, it is also important for the Assembly

to open a reflection on how it will take part in monitoring its implementation.

The monitoring provisions laid down in the convention are particularly innovative, as they foresee the

twofold participation of parliamentarians:

at national level, parliaments are invited to participate in the monitoring of the measures taken for the

implementation of the convention;

in addition, the Parties shall submit the reports drawn up by the independent monitoring body, the Group

of experts on action against violence against women and domestic violence (GREVIO), to their national

parliaments;

at international level, the Assembly is invited to take regular stock of the implementation of the

convention.

The Parliamentary Network “Women Free from Violence” should aim at enhancing the capacity of national

parliamentarians to carry out the monitoring of the implementation of the Istanbul Convention at national level.

In addition, the Assembly should be represented in the GREVIO as an observer.

These recommendations are the logic consequence of the innovative provisions laid down in the Istanbul

Convention, which is the first binding instrument in the world to require the direct participation of

parliamentarians in the monitoring mechanism.

Conclusions

Dear President, colleagues,

This report and these draft resolution and draft recommendation, also call for the Council of Europe action,

upgrading its political engagement regarding this issue.

Combating violence against women must remain a political priority on the agenda. Co-operation with the

member Estates providing legal expertise, training, knowledge of case law in the European Court on Human

Rights, monitoring, strengthening partnership with international organisations such as UN Women, FRA, EIGE

and others, must be a part of its action.

But, above all, do not forget to always involve the Network “Women Free From Violence”, that became a

case of success, worldwide recognised as a reference and a model, on the benefit of the people, firstly, but

also, contributing to the prestige of the Council of Europe.

I was recently in Brasilia, in a conference that joined parliamentarians from the Americas, and witnessed the

respect they have for our work. The sae happened in the United Nations, on March this year.

Unfortunately, 2013 will not be the year in which violence against women is eradicated. But all the

conditions are there for 2013 to be the year in which we make an unprecedented leap forward in the elimination

of violence against women.

For Europe, 2013 can also be the year in which the ten ratifications of the Istanbul Convention are reached.

The Istanbul Convention has often been referred to as “the gold standard” because of the high legal and

policy standards it requires of the States Parties and because it is a yardstick for any legal and policy

framework in the area of violence against women.