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Sábado, 30 de novembro de 2013 II Série-D — Número 7
XII LEGISLATURA 3.ª SESSÃO LEGISLATIVA (2013-2014)
S U M Á R I O
Delegações e Deputações da Assembleia da República:
— Relatório referente à participação da Delegação da Assembleia da República nas Reuniões de Outono da Assembleia Parlamentar da OSCE, que decorreram em Budva, entre 12 e 15 de outubro de 2013. — Relatório referente à participação da Delegação da Assembleia da República na Missão de Observação das Eleições Presidenciais na Geórgia, que decorreram entre 24 e 28 de outubro de 2013. — Relatório elaborado pelo Deputado Couto dos Santos, do PSD, relativo à sua participação no II Fórum Parlamentar Internacional, que decorreu em Moscovo, entre 14 e 16 de novembro de 2013. — Relatório elaborado pelo Deputado Mendes Bota, do PSD, relativo à sua participação na reunião da Comissão Permanente da Assembleia Parlamentar do Conselho da Europa (APCE), que decorreu em Viena, no dia 22 de novembro de 2013.
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Relatório referente à participação da Delegação da Assembleia da República nas Reuniões de
Outono da Assembleia Parlamentar da OSCE, que decorreram em Budva, entre 12 e 15 de outubro de
2013
Os Deputados João Soares (PS, Vice-Presidente da Delegação e Representante Especial para o
Cáucaso), Nilza de Sena (PSD, Vice-Presidente da Comissão de Assuntos Económicos, Ciência, Tecnologia e
Ambiente) e Isabel Santos (PS, Presidente da Comissão da Democracia, Direitos Humanos e Assuntos
Humanitários) participaram nas Reuniões de Outono (Sessão Plenária) da Assembleia Parlamentar da OSCE
que decorreram em Budva (Montenegro), de 12 a 15 de outubro.
Para além das reuniões do Bureau e da Comissão Permanente, decorreram o habitual Fórum do
Mediterrâneo com o tema “O Mediterrâneo: Uma União de Civilizações”; um debate especial sobre a situação
na Síria; e uma Conferência Parlamentar intitulada “Ameaças Transnacionais e Proteção de Direitos Humanos:
O Papel da OSCE”.
Bureau
O Presidente da AP OSCE, Ranko Krivokapic, apresentou as suas atividades recentes: visitas ao
Secretariado (Copenhaga), Geórgia, Finlândia, Polónia e Roménia.
O Secretário-Geral da AP OSCE informou que o orçamento da Organização tinha sido auditado por uma
entidade externa, a qual tinha dado, novamente, um parecer positivo às contas da AP. Referiu a realização da
recente missão de observação eleitoral no Azerbeijão “em circunstâncias muito difíceis” e as próximas missões
de observação na Geórgia e no Tajiquistão.
A propósito da missão de observação no Azerbeijão foi notado que existiram declarações contraditórias –
entre os membros da missão, o ODHIR e o Presidente em Exercício da OSCE – que prejudicam a imagem da
Organização para o exterior.
O número crescente de missões de observação coloca uma enorme pressão financeira e humana no
Secretariado, o qual não tem nenhum funcionário a trabalhar em permanência na área da monitorização
eleitoral. Perante este cenário, o Secretário-Geral afirmou que será necessário aumentar os recursos humanos
e financeiros através de “contribuições extra-orçamentais”. Até ao momento a AP ainda não beneficiou, ao
contrário de outras Organizações similares, deste tipo de contribuições.
O Deputado João Soares afirmou entender o pedido de aumento do orçamento, até porque a AP tem uma
dotação orçamental reduzida e faz um trabalho notável no vasto espaço geográfico da OSCE com um
Secretariado muito pequeno. Contudo, não se pode pedir aos países participantes um aumento da sua
contribuição anual, mas podem-se encontrar outras formas de financiamento através de Organizações
Internacionais ou de contribuições voluntárias de alguns países.
Foi ainda referido o seguimento das resoluções aprovadas nas Sessões Anuais, para que sejam mais
eficazes e visíveis.
Fórum do Mediterrâneo
O Presidente Krivokapic, na sessão de abertura, afirmou que os esforços da AP OSCE devem ser
investidos na cooperação entre as duas margens do Mediterrâneo devido ao potencial existente. Esta
cooperação deve envolver todos os Estados da região e não apenas os Parceiros Mediterrânicos da OSCE:
Marrocos, Argélia, Tunísia, Egipto, Israel e Jordânia.
Os laços entre as duas margens são demasiado profundos para se acreditar numa “divisão entre
civilizações”. Propôs ainda a criação do estatuto de “cidadãos mediterrânico”.
O Presidente da APCE, Jean Claude Mignon, referiu a política de vizinhança da União Europeia como fator
de estabilidade e desenvolvimento; os Parceiros da Cooperação do Conselho da Europa “Parceria para a
Democracia”; a diplomacia parlamentar como complemento à diplomacia tradicional; a situação na Síria; e a
importância da cooperação para a criação e consolidação de democracias.
Durante o período de debate os intervenientes referiram a criação de uma Zona de Comércio Livre no
Mediterrâneo; o reforço da União para o Mediterrâneo e o Processo de Barcelona; a parceria para a Energia; a
criação de um programa de troca de estudantes universitários; a situação na Síria; a situação degradante dos
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refugiados em Lampedusa; e a instabilidade na região depois da chamada Primavera Árabe.
No decurso do debate sobre a Síria os participantes defenderam o fim da violência entre todos os
beligerantes como primeiro passo para a resolução do conflito; as soluções diplomáticas; a condenação do
uso de armas químicas; o reforço da cooperação entre as duas margens do Mediterrâneo; a importância do
papel do Conselho de Segurança da ONU e a implementação no terreno do Acordo para a destruição das
armas químicas; e o papel da OSCE, sobretudo no sentido de minorar o drama dos refugiados.
Comissão Permanente
O Presidente Krivokapic fez um resumo das discussões no Bureau, com destaque para o debate sobre o
aumento do orçamento, ou orçamento suplementar, para a AP OSCE.
Sobre este ponto o Tesoureiro da AP, Roberto Battelli, informou que era essencial – face ao aumento de
atividades na área das missões eleitorais – um aumento do orçamento. As duas alternativas serão ou um
orçamento suplementar, suportado por contribuições dos Estados participantes, ou contribuições ad hoc de
Parlamentos ou entras entidades.
Não existiu consenso sobre esta medida já que a maioria dos presentes contestou um novo aumento das
contribuições anuais.
Seguiu-se a apresentação, por um representante do Secretário-Geral da OSCE, da proposta de orçamento
da Organização para 2014 com um ligeiro aumento face a 2013, concentrado sobretudo no Secretariado em
Viena e no ODIHR.
A este propósito o Deputado João Soares afirmou que devem ser dados mais meios humanos e financeiros
às Missões no terreno e evitar aumentar os recursos do Secretariado em Viena e do ODIHR, os quais têm
beneficiado, nos últimos anos, de aumentos generosos e muitas vezes ineficazes. O orçamento da OSCE
deve ser direcionado para a prevenção e resolução de conflitos, nomeadamente dos chamados “conflitos
congelados”, e deve ser mais transparente.
Finalmente foram ainda referidos alguns problemas de coordenação ocorridos na missão de observação
das eleições presidenciais no Azerbeijão, nomeadamente declarações contraditórias e outras situações que
podem colocar em causa a credibilidade da AP OSCE e dos seus membros.
O Presidente Krivokapic anunciou ainda, para 2014/15, uma iniciativa destinada a comemorar os 40 anos
da Ata Final de Helsínquia em paralelo com o Processo “Helsínquia +40”. Este projeto, que inclui a realização
de três seminários (nos EUA, na Rússia e na Suécia em cooperação com vários think thank internacionais),
será coordenado pelo Deputado João Soares.
Grupos Políticos
Os Deputados portugueses participaram nas reuniões dos respetivos grupos políticos: Partido Popular
(Deputada Nilza de Sena) e Grupo Socialista (Deputados João Soares e Isabel Santos).
Reunião dos Representantes Especiais
O Presidente da AP OSCE reuniu com os Representantes Especiais. O Deputado João Soares,
Representante Especial para o Cáucaso, participou nesta reunião onde se discutiu o trabalho futuro da AP nas
áreas de cada um dos membros presentes.
Conferência “As ameaças transnacionais e proteção de direitos humanos: o papel da OSCE”
A sessão de abertura contou com a presença do Presidente da AP OSCE, Ranko Krivokapic, e do
Primeiro-Ministro do Montenegro, Milo Djukanovic.
O Senhor Krivokapic referiu o processo “Helsínquia+40” como uma forma de revitalizar a OSCE, fortalecer
a confiança mútua e criar novos mecanismos para combater as ameaças à segurança. A Organização deve ter
objetivos claros através de um processo de consultas transparente, com contributos da Assembleia
Parlamentar.
O Senhor Djukanovic mencionou a defesa dos valores democráticos; o papel da Missão da OSCE no
Montenegro como parte integrante do processo democrático do país; a aproximação à União Europeia; a
tolerância religiosa, o diálogo interétnico e o multiculturalismo como marcas do Montenegro que são
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fundamentais em toda a região dos Balcãs e no Mediterrâneo.
O primeiro painel da Conferência teve como tema “Combate ao terrorismo e às ameaças transnacionais na
área OSCE e o respeito pelos Direitos Humanos”.
Foi debatida a situação no Afeganistão onde todos são vítimas do terrorismo, independentemente da sua
nacionalidade, religião, convicções políticas e etnia; a ligação entre pobreza, violência e subdesenvolvimento
como causas profundas do terrorismo; e a retirada das forças de manutenção de paz da ONU que pode
causar ainda mais instabilidade regional através de fluxos de refugiados, tráfico de drogas e insegurança nas
fronteiras da Ásia Central.
Foram também mencionados os compromissos da OSCE no combate ao terrorismo e a ligação com
segurança fronteiriça, segurança na internet e as Missões no terreno; a situação na Líbia e as ligações entre
movimentos terroristas que atuam neste país, no Sudão e na Síria; a criação de instituições estáveis e
democráticas em países que saíram de formas ditatoriais de governo; e a criação de projetos de cooperação
na área económica e comercial (estradas, caminhos de ferro, energia) como forma de desenvolvimento das
regiões transfronteiriças.
Durante o período de debate a Deputada Isabel Santos afirmou:
“Todos concordamos que o terrorismo é um crime grave que não pode ser tolerado e que exige uma luta
sem tréguas e uma estratégia transnacional de combate.
Todos sabemos que o terrorismo é, em si mesmo, uma das maiores ameaças aos Direitos Humanos.
No entanto, se abandonarmos a defesa dos Direitos Humanos para combater um ataque violento a estes
mesmos Direitos, então estaremos a ceder de uma forma irreparável nos valores que são pilares nas nossas
sociedades e da afirmação do espaço OSCE como uma comunidade de valores. Uma comunidade que se
afirma baseada nos ideais da Paz, da Democracia, do Desenvolvimento e do respeito pela Lei não pode
ignorar estes princípios básicos na luta contra o terrorismo.
Os países que sacrificam as liberdades e os direitos fundamentais no combate ao terrorismo contribuem
para a vitória daqueles que os ameaçam.
Tornar as sociedades e os Estados reféns do medo é a primeira, e porventura a maior vitória de qualquer
movimento terrorista, uma vitória que tem que ser recusada a todo o transe.
Cabe-nos a todos assegurar que o combate ao terrorismo e aos seus mecanismos não seja erradamente
utilizado para restringir liberdades fundamentais, sobretudo a liberdade de expressão e de movimentos.
Não podemos deixar de condenar, de forma determinada, o modo como alguns Estados têm utilizado o
rótulo de “terrorista” para perseguir opositores políticos e a forma absolutamente abusiva como têm sido
utilizados os mandados de captura da Interpol, bem como a extradição para países onde o respeito pelos
Direitos Humanos não é garantido.
O uso da tortura, tantas vezes admitido por alguns como forma de obtenção de informações sobre
atividades terroristas, é algo que não pode ser tolerado.
Este é um problema que deve ser encarado por todos nós, assumindo a firme condenação de métodos que
ferem claramente o Direito Internacional Humanitário.”
O segundo painel da Conferência teve como tema “Os efeitos da crise económica e financeira no setor da
segurança”.
Foi discutido o desemprego na Europa como consequência da crise económica; as iniciativas da OSCE na
área económica e ambiental; as resoluções da Assembleia Parlamentar aprovadas nos últimos dois anos com
impacto para o desenvolvimento económico; a produtividade; a solidariedade entre nações; o reforço da
democracia; a importância da investigação científica; e a necessidade de contrabalançar as medidas de
austeridade com outras, de desenvolvimento económico, sob pena de mais recessão e enfraquecimento da
democracia.
A última sessão foi dedicada à “Integração em sociedades diversificadas” e contou com o contributo da Alta
Comissária para as Minorias Nacionais da OSCE, Astrid Thors.
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A Senhora Thors sublinhou a importância da promoção da estabilidade e da coesão em sociedades étnica
e linguisticamente diversificadas. Compete ao Estado promover a integração das minorias sem as assimilar e
criminalizar o “discurso de ódio”. As políticas de integração devem ser específicas e flexíveis e envolver toda a
sociedade. Referiu ainda a situação especial das comunidades Roma e Sinti na Europa e a importância dos
mecanismos de prevenção e de alerta precoce.
Durante o período de debate foi mencionado que as tendências migratórias não podem ser paradas; os
contributos dos emigrantes nas sociedades de acolhimento podem ser enriquecedores; a intolerância deve ser
combatida; as minorias e emigrantes devem ter uma participação cívica plena nas sociedades de acolhimento;
situação específica dos Balcãs; efeitos da crise económica na diminuição de fundos destinados a programas
de integração; importância da educação para a tolerância; e igualdade de oportunidades promovida pelos
Estados.
Bureau das Comissões de Assuntos Económicos, Ciência, Tecnologia e Ambiente e da Democracia,
Direitos Humanos e Questões Humanitárias
A Deputadas Nilza de Sena e Isabel Santos participaram nas reuniões do Bureau das Comissões que
integram, respetivamente, como Vice-Presidente e Presidente. Foram discutidos os temas para as próximas
sessões plenárias e a estratégia de cada uma das Comissões em 2014.
Assembleia da República, 15 de novembro de 2013.
Assessor Parlamentar, Nuno Paixão.
—————
Relatório referente à participação da Delegação da Assembleia da República na Missão de
Observação das Eleições Presidenciais na Geórgia, que decorreu entre 24 e 28 de outubro de 2013
O Deputado João Soares (PS), Vice-Presidente da Delegação, chefiou a Missão de Observação das
Eleições Presidenciais da Geórgia que se realizam no dia 27 de outubro.
Esta Missão internacional, constituída por mais de 400 observadores em representação dos 57 Estados
participantes da OSCE, contou também com a participação do Parlamento Europeu (PE) e das Assembleias
Parlamentares do Conselho da Europa (APCE) e da NATO (APNATO).
No decorrer desta Missão o Deputado João Soares reuniu com os cerca de 300 observadores de curto-
prazo. Referiu a relevância do trabalho destes observadores, sobretudo no dia das eleições; a importância de
uma transição democrática e pacífica de poder (tal como sucedeu nas últimas eleições legislativas na
Geórgia); o trabalho dos observadores da Assembleia Parlamentar da OSCE e das outras instituições
parlamentares internacionais; os compromissos da OSCE em matéria eleitoral; e a cooperação com o ODIHR
e as informações dos observadores de longo-prazo.
Teve lugar ainda uma reunião de trabalho com o Primeiro-Ministro da Geórgia, e líder da Coligação “Sonho
Georgiano”, Bidzina Ivanishvili.
O Primeiro-Ministro afirmou que estas seriam umas eleições verdadeiramente europeias já que não foram
usados recursos do Estado em favor de nenhum candidato; confirmou que irá abandonar o cargo a seguir à
tomada de posse do novo Presidente; criticou o ainda Presidente Mikhail Saakashvili; informou que o objetivo
da Geórgia é a integração europeia e a “restauração da justiça”; e disse que a guerra com a Rússia foi o maior
erro do Presidente Saakashvili, no entanto o atual governo pretende reatar as relações comerciais com
Mocovo (os voos regulares foram retomados) mas, ao mesmo, tempo, criticou as autoridades russas pela
ocupação da Abkázia e da Ossétia do Sul. Neste último caso informou que, apesar das conversações de
Genebra, a chamada “linha de demarcação” está constantemente a ser alterada pelas tropas russas.
O Deputado João Soares elogiou o exemplo da Geórgia, como a única da ex-Repúblicas soviéticas (com
exceção dos países Bálticos), em que existiu uma transição democrática e pacífica de poder. Disse ainda que
o atual governo, e eventualmente o novo Presidente, deviam prosseguir no caminho da reconciliação e não
apostar na “vingança” e em colocar adversários políticos na prisão.
Os briefings desta Missão de Observação decorreram nos dias 25 e 26 de outubro e contaram com a
presença de diversos especialistas, locais e internacionais, que informaram os observadores parlamentares
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acerca da situação no país, sistema eleitoral e campanha eleitoral. Os principais candidatos à presidência
também participaram nestes briefings.
Para além dos observadores parlamentares, estiveram no terreno 28 observadores de longo-prazo do
ODIHR, liderados pelo ex-Deputado italiano e ex-membro da AP OSCE, Matteo Mecacci. Calcula-se em cerca
de 1000 o número total de observadores locais.
O Presidente é eleito por sufrágio direto e universal, por todos os cidadãos maiores de 18 anos. Estão
inscritos nos cadernos eleitorais 3.536.619 eleitores. No dia das eleições estarão abertas 3.655 assembleias
de voto.
O ambiente eleitoral foi considerado calmo, sobretudo em comparação com as legislativas de 2012; as
autoridades locais não exerceram nenhum tipo pressão, abusos administrativos ou detenções; os candidatos
expressaram confiança no sistema eleitoral; e os meios de comunicação asseguraram uma cobertura
equilibrada da campanha. No entanto a prisão de vários responsáveis do Movimento Nacional Unido (UNM),
entre eles o de um potencial candidato à presidência, acusados de abuso de poder e corrupção continua a
ensombrar o ambiente político do país.
Foi também referida existência de material de campanha para as minorias azeri e arménia (16.2% da
população) e também em russo e abkaz.
Foram registados um total de 23 candidatos mas apenas três têm reais hipóteses de vencer: Giorgi
Margvelashvili (Sonho Georgiano), David Bakradze (UNM) e Nino Burjanadze (Movimento Democrático-
Geórgia Unida).
O Senhor Margvelashvili afirmou estar confiante na vitória e confidenciou que apenas disse que não iria à
segunda volta, caso obtivesse menos de 60% dos votos, para “incitar” os eleitores a votar.
O Senhor Bakradze sublinhou a transição democrática e pacífica, após a derrota do seu partido em 2012, e
os “ataques” da coligação governamental à sua campanha e aos seus apoiantes. Contudo, considerou que
esta era uma campanha “calma e baseada em ideias”.
A Senhora Burjanadze disse que a campanha foi marcada por “intimidação e violência policial” mas, ao
contrário de outras eleições, não existe “chantagem contra candidatos”. Manifestou também algumas dúvidas
sobre as listas de eleitores e criticou o facto de não ter acesso a fundos públicos e à televisão.
Será eleito Presidente o candidato que obtiver mais de 50% dos votos. Se nenhum dos candidatos tiver
mais do que 50% realizar-se-á uma segunda volta entre os dois candidatos mais votados. O Presidente é
eleito para um mandato de cinco anos.
Para além de ter presidido aos briefings, o Deputados João Soares teve também diversas reuniões com os
responsáveis do ODIHR, APCE, PE e AP NATO para atualizar informações de campanha e ultimar as
conclusões desta missão de observação com os dados que foram chegando do terreno através dos
observadores de curto-prazo e longo-prazo. Existiram também reuniões internas da delegação da AP OSCE
com o mesmo objetivo.
No dia das eleições (27 de outubro) os observadores da Assembleia da República assistiram à abertura
das urnas no centro de Tbilisi. Seguiu-se a visita a várias assembleias de voto, também no centro de Tbilisi, e
posteriormente na região de Khurvaleti. Trata-se de uma zona rural, tendo sido visitadas três assembleias de
voto, uma delas num campo de refugiados provenientes da Ossétia do Sul.
A delegação portuguesa teve ainda a oportunidade de visitar a chamada “linha de demarcação” entre a
Geórgia e a região da Ossétia Sul. Trata-se de uma zona separada por arame farpado que, de acordo com os
habitantes locais e as tropas da Geórgia na região, tem sido alvo de avanços constantes por parte das tropas
russas. Foi constatado que estas barreiras de arame farpado cortaram aldeias, e nalguns casos pequenas
propriedades, ao meio impedindo a circulação das populações.
O encerramento das urnas foi observado no centro de Tbilisi, numa secção de voto com cerca de 1100
eleitores. Destes votaram um total de 530. O candidato Giorgi Margvelashvili obteve cerca de 70% dos votos
nesta secção.
De todas as assembleias de voto observadas, dentro e fora de Tbilisi, constatou-se que o ambiente foi
calmo e ordeiro. Todos os observadores locais (representantes de candidatos, partidos, associações cívicas e
ONG) afirmaram que a votação decorreu sem problemas. A contagem dos votos, apesar de alguns
procedimentos burocráticos desnecessários, foi regular.
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O debriefing dos observadores da AP OSCE teve lugar na manhã de dia 28 de outubro. Para estes
observadores a votação decorreu sem incidentes, foi bem organizada e a atmosfera foi, em geral, calma.
Foram registados alguns problemas em zonas rurais e nas urnas móveis. O processo de contagem foi longo
mas sem problemas. Muitas das assembleias de votos tinham um excesso de observadores internos. Nas
zonas habitadas pelas minorias azeri e arménia existia material informativo nas respetivas línguas.
Do ponto de vista estatístico – de acordo com o ODIHR – o processo de votação foi avaliado como “bom ou
muito bom” por 97% dos observadores. A maioria das situações negativas relatadas esteve relacionada com
excesso de pessoas (observadores) nos locais de voto.
O Senhor Giorgi Margvelashvili foi eleito Presidente da Geórgia, à primeira volta, com 61.2%; o Senhor
Bakradze obteve 21.7%; e a Senhora Burjanadze 10.1%. A taxa de abstenção rondou os 53%.
O Deputado João Soares anunciou as conclusões dos observadores internacionais tendo afirmado:
“Estas eleições foram construtivas e transparentes. O povo da Geórgia confirmou a transferência pacífica
de poder iniciada nas eleições do ano passado. Este ato eleitoral comprova que a Geórgia está a atingir a
maturidade democrática.
A eleição foi gerida de forma eficiente e teve lugar num ambiente tranquilo e construtivo. As liberdades de
expressão, movimento e reunião foram respeitadas e os candidatos puderam fazer campanha sem restrições.
Não foram observadas irregularidades graves no ambiente de campanha. Os meios de comunicação foram
menos polarizados em comparação com as últimas eleições e apresentaram uma vasta gama de pontos de
vista. No dia das eleições os cidadãos expressaram a sua escolha de forma livre.
Foram registados, de forma transparente e inclusiva, 23 candidatos. A campanha decorreu de forma
pacífica e ordeira.
No entanto as alegações de pressão política, incluindo as pressões sobre os eleitos locais da UNM, tiveram
um impacto negativo. No que diz respeito ao uso de recursos estatais e meios administrativos registou-se uma
evolução positiva.
A sociedade civil teve uma participação ativa em todos os aspetos do processo eleitoral. O envolvimento de
um grande número de cidadãos que observaram estas eleições aumentou a transparência das mesmas.
Os nossos observadores avaliaram o dia das eleições como tendo sido profissional e transparente e de
acordo com os procedimentos.
A continuação da consolidação da democracia requer uma visão estratégica de futuro e o reforço do
Estado de Direito.
Agradeço a todos os que nos acolheram nas assembleias de voto e aos milhares de georgianos que
trabalharam de forma intensa para que esta eleição decorresse com normalidade.”
O Deputado João Soares foi ainda recebido pelo Presidente cessante, Mikhail Saakashvili, que referiu a
sua vontade de – nos próximos tempos – se desligar dos assuntos políticos do seu país.
Assembleia da República, 20 de novembro de 2013.
Assessor Parlamentar, Nuno Paixão.
Anexo: Conclusões da Missão de Observação Eleitoral; News from Copenhagen 495
Nota: Os referidos anexos podem ser consultados nos serviços de apoio.
—————
Relatório elaborado pelo Deputado Couto dos Santos, do PSD, relativo à sua participação no II
Fórum Parlamentar Internacional, que decorreu em Moscovo, entre 14 e 16 de novembro de 2013
Conforme documento e programa anexos fui convidado para participar no Segundo Fórum Parlamentar
Internacional realizado pela Duma Estatal da Federação da Rússia em Moscovo no dia 14/11/2013, sob o
título “Constituição, Democracia, Parlamentarismo.
O evento consistiu em duas partes:
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Na primeira parte, de manhã, houve uma sessão plenária em que participaram 32 delegações estrangeiras.
Na segunda parte, de tarde, houve diversos painéis abordando diversos subtemas do evento.
Participei no Painel 1, presidido pelo Deputado Puslikov, Presidente da Comissão de Negócios
Estrangeiros e que recentemente esteve de visita ao Parlamento Português.
Tive ainda oportunidade para encontros bilaterais com deputados do Congresso Brasileiro e da Câmara
Italiana.
No dia 15/11/2013 tive encontros na Duma Estatal com representantes do Grupo Parlamentar de Amizade
Rússia-Portugal para esclarecer sobre a visita da PAR a Moscovo e preparar a visita do Grupo Parlamentar de
Amizade Portugal-Rússia a Moscovo.
Tive ainda um encontro com o Senhor Embaixador de Portugal na Rússia, Godinho de Matos para abordar
a designação do Cônsul Honorário de Portugal em S. Petersburg.
Lisboa, 21 de novembro de 2013.
O Deputado do PSD, António Fernando Couto dos Santos.
—————
Relatório elaborado pelo Deputado Mendes Bota, do PSD, relativo à sua participação na reunião da
Comissão Permanente da Assembleia Parlamentar do Conselho da Europa (APCE), que decorreu em
Viena no dia 22 de novembro de 2013.
RELATÓRIO N.º 89
No dia 22 de Novembro de 2013, participei na reunião da Comissão Permanente da APCE, durante a qual
fiz uma intervenção (consta do Anexo A deste relatório) de apresentação do meu relatório sobre “Violence
Against Women in Europe” (consta do anexo C do presente relatório).
Fiz ainda uma segunda intervenção, para apresentar uma proposta de alteração oral ao parágrafo cinco
do projecto de resolução (consta do anexo B), a qual foi aprovada, por unanimidade.
Com o relatório, foram aprovadas a resolução e a recomendação que nele constavam, por unanimidade.
Assembleia da República, 23 de Novembro de 2013.
O Deputado do PSD, José Mendes Bota.
ANEXO A
Speech by M. Mendes Bota to present his report about Violence Against Women in Europe (doc.
13349)
Standing Committe of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe
Vienn, 25th November 2013
25th
NOVEMBER 2013: A DAY OF NO RETURN
Dear President, colleagues,
On Monday, it is the International day for the elimination of violence against women.
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Every year, 25 November reminds us that we have a huge unfinished mission ahead of us. It encourages us
to put even more energy and resolve into our political battle to defeat violence against women, so that one day
we no longer need to mark the occasion of25 November.
Violence against women: a human rights violation, our problem
In a recent report, the World Health Organization defined violence against women as “a global health
problem of epidemic proportions”. This definition is fully justified:
In the world, 35% of women have experienced either physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence or
non-partner sexual violence;
almost 30% of all women who have been in a relationship have experienced physical and/or sexual
violence by their intimate partner;
38% of all murders of women are committed by intimate partners.
But violence against women is not only a health problem. It is a human rights violation. And this is really
what concerns us, as members of this Assembly.
It is a human rights violation which happens all over the world – no country excluded.
And why does it occur? Just because its victims are women.
I tell you more: gender is the most frequent ground for violence and discrimination in the whole world.
Europe is no exception.
This is not a women’s issue. This is a serious human rights issue that cannot leave anybody indifferent. This
is a human rights violation happening in our homes, schools, at work, in the streets. In every social class, in
every community, at any age.
We are all concerned, women and men.
We are all responsible for stopping it. But as parliamentarians we are especially concerned: we have the
duty and the means to stop it.
2013: a turning point
25 November 2013 is different from those that preceded it.
Earlier in March this year, the choice of “violence against women and girls” as the main theme of the annual
meeting of the Commission on the Status of Women, in New York, polarised public, media and political
attention around this topic.
The Commission on the Status of Women brought about remarkable progress. First of all, it was a great
success that final conclusions could be agreed upon (this had not always been the case in the past). Secondly,
these conclusions are strong:
they place emphasis on prevention, and on education as an empowering factor;
they call on the responsibility of men and boys;
they recognise women’s sexual and reproductive rights;
they call for an end to the impunity of perpetrators;
last but not least, they make it clear that religion, culture and tradition cannot be used to excuse
violations of the human rights of women and girls.
Responding to the appeal by United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon on “A Promise is a Promise”
and the initiative “COMMIT to end violence against women”, States from all over the world have committed to
strengthening their action in this area.
Amongst them, are 25 Council of Europe member States. They pledged to strengthen activities in the area
of data collection, awareness-raising, access to justice, availability of shelters and assistance measures for
victims.
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Many Council of Europe member States have also declared their commitment to ratify and implement the
Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence, the so-called
Istanbul Convention.
2013: a year of no return
By now, 32 Council of Europe member States have signed this Convention. Eight of them have deposited
the ratification instrument.
Let me mention these eight countries: Turkey, Albania, my own country – Portugal, Montenegro, Italy,
Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia – who deposited only the day before yesterday - and last but not least,
Austria.
I wish to congratulate the authorities of these countries for having made a strong political statement by
giving priority to this issue. Some of them concluded the ratification process in record time, despite having been
through elections and changes of government, or despite being federal countries, and therefore having
complex procedures for the ratification of international treaties.
All of them concluded the ratification process despite the lingering shadow of the economic crisis and the
constraints it places on national budgets.
The ratification of the Convention is currently being examined by the parliaments of France and Spain. The
Committee on Equality and Non-Discrimination held an exchange of views with the French Minister of Women’
Rights last June, and with the Spanish Commissioner on gender-based violence in September. We were
assured of the commitment of these two countries to take firm and strong action to end violence against
women.
And Andorra is also expected to conclude the ratification process very soon.
On this respect, I must announce that I will make an oral amendment to paragraph 5 of the draft resolution,
as we need to update the reference to the member Estates that already deposited the instrument of ratification
in Strasbourg. Bosnia & Herzegovina, Austria and Serbia did it also, since we drafted this resolution some time
ago.
I LIKE TO THINK THAT, 2013 WILL NOT ONLY BE A TURNING POINT BUT A POINT OF NO RETURN IN
THE ELIMINATION OF VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN, ESPECIALLY IN EUROPE.
This is because I am CONFIDENT that the 10 ratifications which are necessary for the entry into force of the
Istanbul Convention will be achieved before the end of this year!
And also, because I can see a new dynamism.
In Europe, the interaction between the pressure created by the Commission on the Status of Women and
the debate over the signature and ratification of the Istanbul Convention is starting to make a breach in the wall.
This is clear from the increased attention that politicians are devoting to violence against women, the
number of NGO and civil society initiatives – including the collection of signatures and petitions in support of
new legislation–, and the visibility that it has had in the media.
Some major newspapers and television channels such as The Guardian, El País, Il Corriere della Sera,
BBC and Rai are now reporting on violence against women and intimate partner violence on a regular basis. In
doing so, they no longer describe it as a succession of punctual and isolated episodes, but as a major social
problem which needs to be tackled.
This is crucial to changing people’s mindsets. Without a change of mindset the law by itself cannot have any
durable impact.
The dual mandate
I have thanked the authorities of the countries that have ratified the Istanbul Convention.
But the members of this Assembly who have played a key role in promoting the Istanbul Convention at
national level deserve special thanks.
Ms Wurm in Austria, Ms Dervoz in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ms Mogherini and Ms Bergamini in Italy, Ms
Djurovic in Serbia, only to mention a few of them, have acted as ambassadors of the Istanbul Convention, as
lobbyists, as advocates, as witnesses, as whips!
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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.
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But, for me, this convention is worth more than gold: it can save millions of lives and change the mindsets of
millions of people.
Whether 2013 will bring these results greatly depends on us parliamentarians and on the political weight
that we want to attach to combating this scourge.
Colleagues, let us make it possible for this 25th of November to be a day of no return in the elimination of
violence against women.
Thank you.
ANEXO B
Oral amendment present by M. Mendes Bota
To replace paragraph 5 with the following text:
‘The Assembly also welcomes the increasing support for the Istanbul Convention, which to date has been
signed by 32 member States. Amongst them, Albania, Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Italy, Montenegro,
Portugal, Serbia and Turkey have already deposited the ratification instruments; Andorra, France and Spain are
currently examining ratification.’
ANEXO C
Report | Doc. 13349 | 31 October 2013
Violence against women in Europe
Committee on Equality and Non-Discrimination
Rapporteur : Mr José MENDES BOTA, Portugal, EPP/CD
Origin — Reference to committee: Doc.13188, Reference 3963 of 31 May 2013. 2013 - November Standing
Committee
A. Draft resolution
1. Violence against women affects one in four women in Europe. It is a widespread human rights violation
as well as a major health problem. Regrettably, it is so embedded in society that most people fail to understand
its extent, gravity and nature.
2. In March 2013, the 57th session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW57),
entirely devoted to violence against women and girls, represented a turning point in the fight against this
scourge: it gave visibility to the issue, resulting in the adoption of strong Conclusions, and encouraged States
all over the world to take stronger measures, also in the context of the COMMIT initiative to end violence
against women, launched by the Secretary General of the United Nations.
3. Thanks to the efforts of the Council of Europe and France, the CSW57 was also an opportunity to make
the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic
Violence (CETS No. 210, “Istanbul Convention”) better known at global level. This convention has been rightly
referred to as a “gold standard” because it is the most comprehensive international instrument specifically
dealing with violence against women.
4. The Parliamentary Assembly welcomes the positive response given by 25 Council of Europe member
States to the COMMIT initiative. It acknowledges that most member States are strengthening their legal and
policy framework to tackle violence against women and hopes that, despite budgetary constraints due to the
economic crisis, they will continue to consider this matter as a priority by allocating adequate resources to it.
5. The Assembly also welcomes the increasing support for the Istanbul Convention, which to date has been
signed by 32 member States. Amongst them, Albania, Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Italy, Montenegro,
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Portugal, Serbia and Turkey have already deposited the ratification instruments; Andorra, France and Spain are
currently examining ratification.
6. In the light of this positive momentum, the Assembly believes that no effort should be spared to achieve
the 10 ratifications that are necessary for the entry into force of the Istanbul Convention by the end of 2013. In
this context, it recalls the crucial role played by parliamentarians, especially through the Parliamentary Network
“Women Free from Violence”, in promoting the signature of the Istanbul Convention and ensuring a rapid and
efficient ratification process.
7. The Assembly therefore calls on Council of Europe member States to:
7.1. sign and/or ratify the Istanbul Convention without any further delay, if they have not yet done so;
7.2. refrain from making declarations and reservations to the Istanbul Convention or, in any case, not to
renew them;
7.3. adhere to the COMMIT initiative to end violence against women and implement their commitments
within the promised deadlines.
8. In so far as its work is concerned, the Assembly should:
8.1. continue to promote the signature and ratification of the Istanbul Convention through activities targeting
primarily parliamentarians;
8.2. step up activities aimed at raising awareness about violence against women among the general public,
also in co-operation with the media sector;
8.3. organise activities to enhance the capacity of national parliaments to monitor the implementation of the
Istanbul Convention at national level, once it enters into force;
8.4. expand the outreach capacity of the Parliamentary Network “Women Free from Violence” by creating a
status of “Network friend”, which the Parliamentary Network will be able to award to members of the European
Parliament and other members of parliament;
8.5. encourage its members to set up, in their national parliaments, informal groups or caucuses to end
violence against women.
B. Draft recommendation
1. Recalling its Resolution … (2013) on violence against women in Europe, the Parliamentary Assembly
reiterates that violence against women is a major human rights violation and an offence to human dignity which
does not spare any Council of Europe member State.
2. The positive response given by the majority of Council of Europe member States to the United Nations
initiative COMMIT to end violence against women, and their active involvement in the 57th session of the
Commission on the Status of Women, are signs of their political resolve to tackle this scourge.
3. The Council of Europe should strive to assist its member States in this endeavour, with special emphasis
on data collection, reinforcement of the legal and policy framework and co-operation.
4. The Council of Europe has set itself up as a pioneer in standard setting in this area through its
Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence (CETS No. 210,
“Istanbul Convention”). The Assembly looks forward to the prompt entry into force of this convention, which will
have a tangible impact on the lives of millions of people.
5. The Assembly welcomes the role for national parliaments and the Assembly itself in monitoring the
implementation of the convention, as set out in its Article 70, as an increased safeguard for the independence
of the process.
6. In the light of the above, the Assembly recommends that the Committee of Ministers:
6.1. explore the feasibility for the Council of Europe to play a role in the area of data collection by:
6.1.1. drawing up common guidelines on data collection, to be recommended to all member States, in order
to facilitate harmonisation and comparability;
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6.1.2. co-operating with the European Union, in particular its Fundamental Rights Agency, with a view to
conducting a survey on violence against women for all the Council of Europe member States;
6.2. contribute to strengthening the national legal and policy frameworks in the
area of violence against women, in particular by:
6.2.1. providing legal advice and expertise on draft legislation;
6.2.2. supporting the organisation of training on the issue of violence against women for police officers,
judges, prosecutors and other legal professionals;
6.2.3. reinforcing knowledge of the case law of the European Court of Human Rights in the area of violence
against women and domestic violence;
6.2.4. stepping up project and co-operation work in the area of violence against women, for member and
observer States of the Council of Europe and countries whose parliaments hold partner for democracy status
with the Assembly.
7. As regards the Istanbul Convention, the Assembly recommends that the Committee of Ministers:
7.1. step up activities to further promote the signature and ratification of (or accession to) the Istanbul
Convention, including by non-Council of Europe member States and the European Union;
7.2. ensure that the Assembly is represented in the Group of experts on action against violence against
women and domestic violence (GREVIO) as an observer and is invited to attend the meetings of the Committee
of the Parties.
C. Explanatory memorandum by Mr Mendes Bota, rapporteur
1. Violence against women: disbelief and misunderstandings
1. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines violence against women as “a global health problem of
epidemic proportions”. This definition is fully justified:
worldwide, 35% of women have experienced either physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence or
non-partner sexual violence;
almost 30% of all women who have been in a relationship have experienced physical and/or sexual
violence by their intimate partner;
38% of all murders of women are committed by intimate partners.
2. However, the WHO definition does not capture the gravity of the situation. Violence against women is not
only a health problem. It is also a global, systematic and pervasive human rights violation. And why does it
occur? Exactly because its victims are women. Gender is the most frequent ground for violence and
discrimination worldwide. Europe is no exception.
3. During my many years of political engagement in this area, I have been confronted with disbelief and
gender-blindness. Discrimination against women is so engrained in people’s way of thinking that most people
do not understand the link between gender and violence. There is often a reason being put forward to justify the
perpetrators, to minimise their responsibility, to make the victims at least partly accountable, or to prefer
impunity to justice. This happens whether violence against women occurs at home, at the hands of a partner, or
whether it occurs on a large scale in the context of armed conflicts.
4. In March 2013, many of us saw their convictions accurately reflected in the following passage:
“The Commission affirms that violence against women and girls is rooted in historical and structural
inequality in power relations between women and men, and persists in every country in the world as a
pervasive violation of the enjoyment of human rights. Gender-based violence is a form of discrimination that
seriously violates and impairs or nullifies the enjoyment by women and girls of all human rights and
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fundamental freedoms. Violence against women and girls is characterised by the use and abuse of power and
control in public and private spheres, and is intrinsically linked with gender stereotypes that underlie and
perpetuate such violence, as well as other factors that increase women’s and girls’ vulnerability to such
violence.”
5. It was an outstanding achievement that these words could be included in the Conclusions of the 2013
Commission on the Status of Women (CSW57) of the United Nations. They echo what can be found in many
Council of Europe instruments and declarations. I regret, however, that these concepts struggle to sink into the
minds of ordinary people. Surveys confirm my concerns. The article below, published by a known non-
governmental organisation (NGO), gathers the findings of several surveys conducted in the United Kingdom.
“Society’s attitudes to violence against women
More people would call the police if someone was mistreating their dog than if someone was mistreating
their partner (78% versus 53%). [ICM (2003) Hitting Home BBC Domestic Violence Survey]
Over a quarter of people think a woman bears some responsibility for being raped if she is wearing
revealing clothing. 18% think rape can be a woman's fault if she is known to have had many sexual partners.
[Rape Crisis Scotland, Rape Crisis Scotland Public Awareness Campaign, in Rape Crisis (England and Wales)
National Conference. Leeds (5 February 2008)]
Nearly half of people believe that domestic violence is something that happens behind closed doors and is
for the partners to sort out. [ICM (2003) Hitting Home BBC Domestic Violence Survey]
30% of people believe that domestic violence is acceptable in certain circumstances.
Nearly a third of men think that domestic violence is acceptable if their partner has been nagging them.”
6. I am afraid that surveys conducted in other Council of Europe member States would give similar
frightening results.
7. Violence against women will continue to thrive unless we change people’s mindsets. We should
challenge the social norms, customs, traditions – and even the language – that perpetuate inequality and the
existence or the perception of a hierarchy between sexes. As long as we accept inequality we condone
violence against women; as long as there is violence against women, there will be inequality.
2. Aim of the present report
8. The present report is not meant to be an extensive analysis of the phenomenon of violence against
women in Europe or of the legal and policy measures introduced by Council of Europe member States to
counter it. This work is currently being conducted by the intergovernmental sector of the Council of Europe, in
the context of monitoring the implementation of Committee of Ministers Recommendation Rec(2002)5 on the
protection of women against violence.
9. This report is above all a policy document: it aims at taking stock of where we stand in Europe with the
awareness of this problem and the political will to tackle it; what are the challenges and opportunities that
present themselves at this particular point in time; and what can be the added value of the Council of Europe
for its member States.
10. This reflection is the result of my work as General Rapporteur on violence against women of the
Committee on Equality and Non-Discrimination. My objective is to encourage Council of Europe member States
to make a leap forward in this area, without any further delay.
3. Prevalence of violence in Europe
11. The WHO study I mentioned at the beginning of this memorandum is the first global report ever on the
prevalence of violence against women and girls of 15 years of age and above.
Lifetime prevalence of intimate partner violence/non-partner sexual violence among all women (15 years
and older), by WHO region
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Africa 45.6%
Americas 36.1%
Eastern Mediterranean 36.4%
Europe 27.2%
South-East Asia 40.2%
Western Pacific 27.9%
High income 32.7%
Infographic: The Guardian (Source: WHO)
12. According to the study, 27.2% of women in Europe will experience physical and/or sexual violence in
their lifetime. With a pattern which is identical in all the regions of the world, intimate partner violence accounts
for the greatest proportion of cases also in Europe, the ratio between domestic violence and non-intimate
partner violence being nearly 5 to 1. Unfortunately, this data does not enable us to fully understand the situation
in Council of Europe member States, because some western European countries are included in the group
which is called “high income”.
Ratio of intimate partner violence to non-intimate partner sexual violence by WHO region
Africa 3.1%
Americas 2.8%
Europe 4.9%
South-East Asia 7.7%
Western Pacific 3.8%
High income 1.8%
Infographic: The Guardian (Source: WHO)
13. However important it is to estimate the phenomenon of violence against women and identify regional
trends, the WHO report does have a weakness: it is based on national and regional data which is not collected
through a harmonised methodology.
14. Indeed, each country has its own more or less developed system of data collection on violence against
women. Often, these systems have serious shortcomings: they do not cover all forms of violence against
women; they cover only incidents which attain a certain threshold of gravity; or provide information that is
already outdated when it is published. In addition, the information is not comparable with data collected in other
countries.
15. The lack of robust and comparable data on violence against women in Europe is a well-known problem,
as recognised by the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe in its Recommendation Rec(2002)5 on
the protection of women against violence, and reiterated in the context of the monitoring of its implementation.
16. In order to bridge the information gap, in 2009 the European Parliament asked the Fundamental Rights
Agency of the European Union (FRA) to carry out a survey on violence against women. This survey will be
published in March 2014. It will be based on interviews of 40 000 women throughout the 28 European
Union member States, and focus on the extent, frequency and severity of violence against women, and access
to and quality of police, health-care and victim support services.
17. The collection of reliable and comparable data is essential with a view to elaborating evidence-based
policies and legislation. This is also recognised by the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and
Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (CETS No. 210, “Istanbul Convention”), which
sets out the following obligations:
“Article 11 – Data collection and research
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1. For the purpose of the implementation of this Convention, Parties shall undertake to:
a. collect disaggregated relevant statistical data at regular intervals on cases of all forms of violence covered
by the scope of this Convention;
b. support research in the field of all forms of violence covered by the scope of this Convention in order to
study its root causes and effects, incidences and conviction rates, as well as the efficacy of measures taken to
implement this Convention.
2. Parties shall endeavour to conduct population-based surveys at regular
intervals to assess the prevalence of and trends in all forms of violence covered
by the scope of this Convention.
3. Parties shall provide the group of experts, as referred to in Article 66 of this Convention, with the
information collected pursuant to this article in order to stimulate international co-operation and enable
international benchmarking.
4. Parties shall ensure that the information collected pursuant to this article is available to the public.”
18. In my opinion, the Council of Europe should explore the feasibility of playing a role in the area of data
collection, in two ways:
elaborating common guidelines on data collection, to be recommended to all Council of Europe
member States, in order to facilitate harmonisation and comparability;
co-operating with the European Union, in particular FRA, with a view to conducting a survey on
violence against women for all the Council of Europe member States which are not covered by the forthcoming
FRA report. In this way, the two studies would be fully complementary and provide a reliable picture of the
situation in the whole of Europe.
19. A final point: figures and data, however reliable, should always be interpreted and put in context. For
instance, just a few weeks ago data released in the United Kingdom indicated a 13% drop in cases of domestic
violence being referred by the police for prosecution. Unfortunately, as has been pointed out by NGOs
and some politicians, this figure hides a failure of the system because the number of complaints presented to
the police has actually gone up by 10%.
4. Challenges posed by the economic context
20. The debate in the United Kingdom leads me to raise another important consideration, which applies
equally to all member States: women victims of violence should not be kept hostage of the economic crisis and
the ensuing budgetary cuts.
21. One of the main explanations for the 13% drop in referrals in the United Kingdom is a 20% cut in funding
for the police. This led to job cuts in the police and reduced its capacity to investigate criminal cases and bring
them to court.
22. Similar fears have been raised in a number of member States as regards the availability of shelters and
assistance measures, which are threatened by horizontal cuts, as well as access to free legal aid for victims of
violence, which is also being reduced.
23. I believe that these are new challenges confronting those who are engaged in combating violence
against women, in particular legislators who have to weigh the pressure to reduce expenditures and the need to
ensure effective protection and assistance for women who are victims of violence. As violence against women
is a human rights issue, I have no hesitation in recommending that it is given high priority.
5. 2013: a turning point
24. Despite the challenges posed by the economic crisis, 2013 has been a milestone year in the fight
against violence against women. The choice of “violence against women and girls” as the main theme of the
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annual meeting of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW57) polarised public, media and political
attention around this topic.
25. The CSW57 has brought about remarkable progress, at several levels. First of all, it has been a great
success that final conclusions could be agreed upon (this had not always been the case in the past). Secondly,
these final conclusions are strong:
they place emphasis on prevention, and on education as an empowering factor;
they call on the responsibility of men and boys;
they recognise women’s sexual and reproductive rights;
they call for an end to the impunity of perpetrators;
they make it clear that religion, culture and tradition cannot be used to excuse violations of the human
rights of women and girls.
26. During the negotiations, no agreement could be found on several important issues. Some key concepts
are therefore missing from the Conclusions. They are:
“sexual orientation and gender identity”: due to the opposition of some United Nations member States
and Observers, there is no mention of the multiple discrimination and specific situation experienced by lesbian,
gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) women;
“intimate partner relations”: there is no recognition of the fact that intimate partner violence may occur
outside marriage.
27. Lobbying, pressure and efforts to ensure that these concepts are acknowledged at United Nations level
should continue. Despite its limitations, my personal assessment of the CSW57 Final Conclusions remains very
positive. We should not focus on what the CSW57 has not achieved, but on what it has achieved, and this is
outstanding. In this regard, I should mention the role played at national as well as international level by civil
society and NGOs, which has been crucial for gathering the necessary political backing for the Conclusions.
28. The CSW57 has not only been important in itself; it has also given decisive impetus to legal and policy
change at national level. Responding to the appeal by United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon on “A
Promise is a Promise” and the initiative “COMMIT to end violence against women”, States from all over the
world have committed to strengthening their action in this area.
29. Amongst them, are 25 Council of Europe member States. Many of them have declared their
commitment to ratifying and implementing the Istanbul Convention. Other frequent pledges include
strengthening activities in the area of data collection, awareness-raising, access to justice, availability of
shelters and assistance measures for victims. I welcome these commitments, which focus on what I consider
priority areas. I look forward to them being translated into concrete action.
30. Indeed, the general atmosphere gives reasons to be optimistic: in Europe, the interaction between the
pressure created by the CSW57 and the debate over the signature and ratification of the Istanbul Convention
have led to fresh dynamism. This is clear from the increased attention that politicians are devoting to violence
against women, the number of NGO and civil society initiatives – including the collection of signatures and
petitions in support of new legislation –, and the visibility that it has had in the media.
31. Some major newspapers and television channels such as The Guardian, El País, Il Corriere della Sera,
BBC and Rai are now reporting on violence against women and intimate partner violence on a regular basis. In
doing so, they no longer describe it as a succession of punctual and isolated episodes, but as a major social
problem which needs to be tackled. I am pleased about this development: the media is an indispensable ally for
awareness raising among the general public, which in its turn is crucial to changing people’s mindsets.
32. I like to think that, also thanks to the CSW57, 2013 will not only been a turning point but a point of no
return in the elimination of violence against women, especially in Europe.
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6. 2013: the year of the entry into force of the Istanbul Convention?
33. I have another reason to hope that 2013 will be a year of no return: I trust that the 10 ratifications which
are necessary for the entry into force of the Istanbul Convention will be achieved this year!
34. The Istanbul Convention has been opened for signature since May 2011. To enter into force, it requires
the deposit of 10 ratifications, eight of which should come from member States.
35. To date, although 32 countries have signed the convention, only five of them have deposited
instruments of ratification: Turkey – which did so in record time –, Albania, Portugal, Montenegro and Italy – the
latter also having concluded the process in record time, as it signed the convention only in September 2012.
The Parliaments of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Austria have ratified the convention. These countries should
therefore soon be depositing their instruments of ratification. In addition, the Governments of France and Spain
have given their green light to ratification, which will shortly be examined by parliament. On 5 June, the Serbian
Parliament started to examine the ratification of the Istanbul Convention. Ratification is also currently being
discussed in Andorra.
36. In my opinion, politically, it would be a strategic mistake if States that support the convention were to try
to bring their legislation fully into line with the provisions of the convention before ratification. This would give
the wrong signal to those that are hesitant and delay the entry into force of the convention, and this, in turn,
would lead to more women suffering and being killed.
37. It should also be recalled that, although not for all its provisions, the Istanbul Convention allows for the
possibility of reservations, which can be maintained for a provisional period of five years, renewable once. This
would give an additional lapse of time for States to align their national laws with the convention.
38. The Council of Europe should take advantage of the political momentum created by the CSW57 to push
for additional and prompt ratifications.
7. The Parliamentary Network “Women Free from Violence” and the role of national parliamentarians
39. In the last few years, the Parliamentary Network “Women Free from Violence” has proved to be very
dynamic and effective in pursuing its main objective, namely the promotion of the Istanbul Convention.
40. It has several tools at its disposal: a handbook on the Istanbul Convention, which is primarily addressed
to parliamentarians but can be used as a reference document by any other interlocutor who is interested in the
issue (available in 14 languages); a Newsletter, which is published before every part-session; a Facebook
page. Appendix 1 contains a list of the activities of the Network in order to give an idea of the extensive work
carried out by the Network and its members.
41. Upon being elected General rapporteur on violence against women and Political Co-ordinator of the
Network, I took the initiative of contacting more than 300 interlocutors all over Europe, with a view to presenting
the Assembly’s activities in this area and establishing synergies. Since then, I have participated in many
events, meetings and missions, in international fora and at national level. I consider this representation work as
an example of parliamentary diplomacy, aimed at raising awareness about violence against women and
speeding up the entry into force of the Istanbul Convention. I have also issued a number of statements on
violence against women and established contacts with human rights film festivals all over Europe, in view of
organising joint activities.
42. The Parliamentary Network has achieved tangible results. In 2012, Network members organised
parliamentary events on the Istanbul Convention in Rome, Sarajevo, Lisbon and Brussels, to mark the
International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women in Europe and promote the Istanbul
Convention. These conference and seminars received great media attention, were attended by national
parliamentarians and included high level speakers, such as speakers of parliament and competent ministers.
What happened next?
Portugal ratified the convention following a unanimous decision of parliament, just a few days after the
seminar;
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in Italy, the main political parties reached political agreement on a prompt ratification of the convention,
which was finalised in 2013 with a unanimous vote by both chambers of parliament (this was the first legislative
act of parliament following the general election of February 2013);
after the seminar, Bosnia and Herzegovina signed the convention; the parliament ratified it in July
2013;
in Belgium, the seminar highlighted that there was political agreement on ratification; the process is
underway, even if it might take time due to the country’s federal structure.
43. In the light of these successful results, I think that the way forward for the Parliamentary Network
“Women Free from Violence” in the medium term (for the next two years) is expanding its membership and
intensifying its work.
7.1. Expansion
44. To date, the Network counts 42 members, of whom 39 are from Council of Europe member States; 2
from observer States; and 1 from a parliament holding the status of partner for democracy. The objective is for
every parliament which is represented in the Assembly (including those holding observer or partner for
democracy status) to have one representative in the Network via a member of the national delegation.
45. In addition, following the active involvement of members of the European Parliament in Network
activities, and contacts established with parliamentarians from Latin America during the CSW 7 in March 2013,
I would like to suggest that the Network sets up a status of “Network friends”. This would enable the Network to
have a greater outreach capacity, to exchange good practice and experience with other parliamentarians, and
to have the chance of influencing legislation and policy on violence against women also outside Council of
Europe member States. “Network friends” could be engaged in networking activities thanks to Facebook or
other social media, and could be partners in the organisation of events.
7.2. Deepening
46. The Network should strengthen its activities at national level, empowering its members and giving them
appropriate tools to organise national events to promote the Istanbul Convention and raise awareness about
violence against women in general.
47. The organisation of national events around 25 November 2012 proved to be successful, and could be
replicated in 2013 and the coming years. In addition, other activities could be undertaken, focusing on two main
directions:
7.2.1. Information and awareness raising of the general public:
the Network could establish a link with national human rights film festivals by ensuring that films on
violence against women are included in the programme and that a debate on the issue is organised on the
occasion of the projection, with the participation of Network members and distribution of information material on
the Istanbul Convention;
in addition to the Facebook page, the possibility of using other social media should be explored;
subject to the availability of extra-budgetary resources, a media campaign could be organised every
year in the context of the “16 days of activism on gender-based violence”, with Network members participating
in television debates, blogs, social media discussions, giving interviews and writing articles on violence against
women and the Istanbul Convention.
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7.2.2. Empowerment and capacity-building of parliamentarians as legislators and in the context of
monitoring:
once the Istanbul Convention enters into force, the Network should differentiate its work addressed to
parliamentarians: while information events and activities aimed at promoting the convention amongst
parliamentarians will continue to be useful for parliamentarians from countries that have still not ratified the
convention, it will be most appropriate to envisage activities to build the capacity of parliamentarians to monitor
the implementation of the convention by countries in which it is already applied;
Network members should promote the setting up of special caucuses/informal groups on violence
against women in national parliaments.
7.3. Resources
48. The Network activities have been possible thanks on the one hand to the Assembly budget, on the other
to voluntary contributions, including a particularly significant one from the German Government. In order to
conduct these new activities which will deepen understanding of the plight of violence against women amongst
the general public while strengthening the technical knowledge of legislators, it will be necessary to seek extra-
budgetary funding, including from private donors and the European Union.
8. The Council of Europe action in the area of violence against women in the coming years
49. The approaching entry into force of the convention shall by no means imply that the Council of Europe’s
efforts should relent. On the contrary, this is the time for the Council of Europe to upgrade its commitment in
this area, first of all politically: violence against women should occupy a central position amongst its priorities,
for two reasons:
it is a serious human rights violation affecting all member States;
the majority of member States have committed to take action. The priorities of the Council of Europe as
an organisation should better reflect the commitments taken by its member States. The main role for the
Council of Europe should be helping member States turn their commitments in the area of violence against
women into tangible changes.
50. As a consequence, I would like to propose that the Council of Europe expands its activities in the area of
violence against women, by developing the following dimensions in synergy and co-ordination:
awareness raising of the general public on violence against women;
contributing to strengthening the legal and policy framework of member States in the area of violence
against women, in particular by:
o providing legal advice and expertise on draft legislation;
o supporting the organisation of training on the issue of violence against women for police
officers, judges, prosecutors and other legal professionals;
o reinforcing knowledge of the case law of the European Court of Human Rights in the area of
violence against women and domestic violence;
o project and co-operation work in the area of violence against women, for Council of Europe
member and observer States and countries whose parliaments hold partner for democracy status with the
Assembly;
o further promotion of the signature and ratification of (or accession to) the Istanbul Convention,
including by non-Council of Europe member States and the European Union;
o monitoring the implementation of the Istanbul Convention;
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o development of a solid and structured partnership with UN Women, FRA and the European
Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE).
51. I believe that, through its Parliamentary Network “Women Free from Violence”, the Assembly should be
closely involved in these activities.
9. Special focus on monitoring the implementation of the Istanbul Convention
52. In view of the approaching entry into force of the Istanbul Convention, it is particularly urgent for the
Assembly to open a reflection on how it will take part in the monitoring process of the implementation of the
convention.
53. The monitoring provisions set out 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.
54. I have already mentioned that the Parliamentary Network “Women Free from Violence” should add to its
work programme activities aimed at enhancing the capacity of national parliamentarians to carry out the
monitoring of the implementation of the Istanbul Convention at national level.
55. As regards the involvement of the Assembly as an institution in the monitoring procedure, I would like to
make the following proposals:
the Assembly should continue to have a General Rapporteur on violence against women, who should
submit a periodic report to the Assembly on the implementation of the Istanbul Convention;
the Assembly should be represented in the GREVIO by the General Rapporteur on violence against
women, as an observer;
the Assembly should be invited to attend all the meetings of the Committee of the Parties.
56. In my opinion, 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. At the same time, they are the recognition of the role played by
the Assembly in relation to the inception, elaboration, conclusion and promotion of the Istanbul Convention.
57. Finally, I think that the participation of an Assembly representative in the GREVIO could be particularly
useful in the context of the urgent procedure which is set out in Article 68.13 of the Istanbul Convention, which
reads:
“If GREVIO receives reliable information indicating a situation where problems require immediate attention
to prevent or limit the scale or number of serious violations of the Convention, it may request the urgent
submission of a special report concerning measures taken to prevent a serious, massive or persistent pattern
of violence against women.”
58. Given the presence of a General Rapporteur on violence against women in the Assembly as well as the
existence of the Parliamentary Network “Women Free from Violence” and the way in which it works – holding
frequent meetings and maintaining a regular flow of information covering geographically all Council of Europe
member States – the Assembly representative would be well placed to provide prompt and reliable information
to the GREVIO on actions that may require urgent action.
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10. Conclusions: if not in 2013, when?
59. Unfortunately, 2013 may 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 the world makes an unprecedented leap forward in the
eradication of violence against women.
60. For Europe, despite the lingering shadow of the economic crisis and the constraints it places on our
budgets, 2013 can also be the year in which the Istanbul Convention comes into force. I hope that the Turkish
authorities will be able to host the ceremony to mark this important event.
61. 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. But for me this convention is worth more than gold: it can
save millions of lives and change the mindsets of millions of people.
62. Whether 2013 will bring these results greatly depends on us parliamentarians, on the political weight we
want to attach to combating violence against women, on our efforts to pass legislation and introduce effective
policies and the pressure we can bring to bear on our governments.
63. The Council of Europe should lend its support to this fight, as it has the expertise, the authority and the
credibility to work hand in hand with its member States and help them translate political commitments into
tangible facts.
Appendix 1 –Activities of the Parliamentary Network “Women free from Violence”
Network meetings
The Network organised a series of exchanges of views/hearings on themes related to violence against
women to actively promote the signature and ratification of the Istanbul Convention:
25 January 2012: Zero tolerance for so-called “honour crimes”, Strasbourg
25 April 2012: Police response to women victims of violence, Strasbourg
28 June 2012: Marital rape, Strasbourg
18 September 2012: Conference on “Legislators to make freedom from violence a reality”, Tirana
4 October 2012: A strategy to campaign for the Istanbul Convention, Strasbourg
23 January 2013: Refugee women and the Istanbul Convention, Strasbourg
24 April 2013: Prostitution and trafficking, Strasbourg
26 June 2013: Women, violence and art, Strasbourg
16 September 2013: The economic dimensions of violence against women, Madrid
2 October 2013: Violence against women: does the rehabilitation of perpetrators work?, Strasbourg
National parliamentary events
Network members organised events on the Istanbul Convention in their national parliaments to enhance
knowledge of the convention among parliamentarians and smooth out the ratification process:
Sarajevo, 21 November 2012 – followed by the approval of the ratification by the Parliament of Bosnia and
Herzegovina (23 July 2013)
Rome, 22 November 2012 – followed by the ratification of the Istanbul Convention by Italy on 10 September
2013
Brussels, 30 November 2012
Lisbon, 3 December 2012 – followed by the ratification of the Istanbul Convention by Portugal on 5 February
2013
Baku, 7 May 2013
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Activities of the Political Co-ordinator
In my capacity as Political Co-ordinator of the Network, I conducted several visits to Council of Europe
Member States to discuss with officials the state of signature/ratification of the Istanbul Convention. I also
participated in international conferences to raise awareness about the convention and publicise the activities of
the Network:
2-3 July 2012: visit to Georgia
7 July 2012 : Conference “L’approche genre dans le développement de la femme en Méditerranée”,
Tétouan, Morocco
9 July 2012: Visit to Rabat
24-25 September 2012: Regional Conference on preventing and combating violence against women, Rabat
8-9 October 2012: Seminar on violence against women, European Women's lobby, Brussels
18 October 2012: 14th WAVE Conference, London
4-6 November 2012: International Conference on “The Political and Socio-Economic Empowerment of
Women based on Women’s Stories”, Istanbul
15 November 2012: meeting of the Gender Equality Commission (GEC), Strasbourg
17 November 2012: Conference organised by Soroptimist International on “The Istanbul Convention: for
women free from violence”, Lisbon
21 November 2012: Seminar on “25 November: International Day for Elimination of Violence Against
Women”, Sarajevo
30 November 2012: Seminar on “Violence against women and the Istanbul Convention: on the way to
ratification”, Brussels
3 December 2012: International Conference on “Violence against women and the Istanbul Convention”,
Lisbon
5 December 2012: International Conference on “The role of the international organisations in combating
gender violence: international and regional juridical framework”, Lisbon
17-18 January 2013: Regional conference on the Istanbul Convention, Helsinki
4-7 March 2013: 57th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), New York
7 May 2013: Parliamentary Seminar on the Istanbul Convention, Baku
27-28 June 2013: High-level expert Conference “Vienna+20: Advancing the Protection of Human Rights”
2 July 2013: Conference “Risk assessment saves lives”, Lisbon
10 October: Colloquy on “Violences faites aux femmes: dévoiler ce qui est rendu invisible”, Strasbourg
14 October 2013: Meeting of the Network of Women Parliamentarians of the Americas, Brasilia
Upcoming:
10 November 2013: Conference on “Co-ordinated efforts – Towards new European standards in the
protection of women from gender-based violence”, Belgrade
11-12 November 2013: Conference on “How the women’s movement influenced State policies”, Belgrade
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Appendix 2 – Synoptic table of the commitments undertaken by Council of Europe member States
under the COMMIT initiative (summary)
(open)
CountryChange to national policy/legislation on violence
against women and related areasIstanbul Convention
Albania
Better implementation of criminal code; improving access to
justice; Training for law-enforcement officers; awareness-
raising and education campaigns.
Austria Gender responsive budgeting. Commitment to ratify
Belgium
Implementing more than 120 new measures to fight against
various forms of violence against women, including intimate
partner violence, forced marriage, female genital mutilation,
honour-related violence; efforts to improve the co-ordination
of different services in addressing intimate partner violence;
focus on young people and awareness raising.
Commitment to ratify and
implement
Bosnia and
Herzegovina
Devising a strategy to implement the Istanbul Convention;
implementing the UN Security Council Resolution 1325
through the Action Plan for the Implementation of UN
Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security
Commitment to implement
Denmark Focus on girls and young women; reducing domestic
violence; addressing root causes and awareness raising.
Finland
Reforming legislation on sexual offences; Implementing the
Cross-Sectoral Action Plan to reduce violence against
women
Commitment to ratify
France
Launching a national anti-violence strategy (including a
public awareness campaign, education and a professional
training programme); creating a dedicated national body to
monitor the progress of the gender-based violence
response programme.
Commitment to ratify
Georgia
Georgia intends to maintain and strengthen its efforts to
prevent and combat domestic violence by carrying out
national awareness-raising campaigns to stop domestic
violence, promptly responding to reports on violence coming
through specially established hotlines, providing victims with
shelter facilities, and ensuring the safety of whistle-blowers,
among other measures. Georgia will actively continue
implementing the National Action Plan regarding Resolution
1325 and other relevant resolutions of the UN Security
Council on “Women, Peace and Security”, which, inter alia,
envisages an increase of women’s participation in security
sector decision-making and their further empowerment in
this regard.
Commitment to sign
Germany
Improving data collection; establishing a national hotline to
report violence against women; developing a concept to
evaluate measures to prevent violence against women;
developing a National Action Plan to implement the UN
Security Council Resolution 1325.
Commitment to ratify and
implement
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CountryChange to national policy/legislation on violence
against women and related areasIstanbul Convention
Greece
Creation of 9 counselling centres at regional and 27 at local
level aimed at providing psychosocial and legal support;
upgrading of the existing infrastructure; awareness-raising
campaigns and dissemination of information materials in
various languages; continuing training of social counsellors;
creation of 21 shelters for abused women and their children;
mainstreaming of gender-responsive policies in government
action.
Commitment to ratify and
implement
Hungary Including domestic violence as a specific crime; focus on
preventing, awareness raising, education.
Italy
Implementing UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on
“Women and Peace and Security” through a National Action
Plan, which will be reviewed in 2013 to assess its progress;
supporting the UN Trust Fund on Violence against Women
on projects in the MENA (Middle-East and North Africa) and
Sub-Sahara region; advancing the global campaign to end
female genital mutilation.
Commitment to implement
Netherlands
Awareness raising targeting young people; improving co-
ordination to prevent and respond to intimate partner
violence; focus on forced prostitution and trafficking;
implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1325
through a second National Action Plan, which focuses on
enhancing the role of women as powerful agents for peace
and security in the MENA region and six other countries.
Commitment to ratify and
implement
Norway
Priority area: domestic violence; research to be launched on
spousal homicide; rethinking of the system of the burden of
proof in cases of domestic violence; continuing to work on
forced marriages and female genital mutilation.
Commitment to ratify
Poland
Harmonising Polish law with the requirements of the
Convention in all aspects regarding prevention and
combating of violence against women and domestic
violence, mainly focusing on education, appropriate data
collection and victim support. In particular, commitment to
change the criminal code so that all rape cases are
persecuted ex officio and criminal proceedings are no
longer wholly dependent on the victim's complaint.
Commitment to ratify
Portugal
Implementing the National Plan Against Domestic Violence,
the Programme for the Elimination of Female Genital
Mutilation and the National Plan Against Trafficking in
Human Beings; focus on awareness raising; strengthening
protection measures and intensifying the training of judges,
prosecutors and security forces; strengthening the financial
capacity for shelters as well as access to housing;
launching a study on female genital mutilation;
strengthening dialogue with migrant associations;
implementing the national action plan on UN Security
Council Resolution 1325.
Commitment to implement
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CountryChange to national policy/legislation on violence
against women and related areasIstanbul Convention
Romania
Developing strategies on family protection and policies on
combating and preventing domestic violence; implementing
the 2013-2017 National Strategy on Preventing and
Combating Domestic Violence; promoting cross-sectoral co-
operation, including partnerships with civil society and the
private sector. A permanent working sub-group on domestic
violence has been set up in the Ministry of Labour, Family,
Social Protection and Elderly in order to strengthen the
institutional capacity of central public administration
authorities to manage domestic violence correlated with
violence against children.
The current National Strategy to
Prevent and Combat Domestic
Violence expressly provides for
necessary steps towards the
signature and ratification of the
convention.
Russian
Federation
Focus on prevention, awareness-raising and assistance to
victims; elaboration of a new federal law on the prevention
of domestic violence.
No mention
Serbia Introduction of an inter-ministerial protocol on violence
against women Commitment to ratify
Slovakia
Improving counselling and shelters for victims; establishing
a national co-ordinating mechanism; opening a free 24-hour
hotline; introducing a new action plan on violence against
women.
Commitment to bring national
policy and legislation in line
Spain
Improving communication and referrals between police,
justice and medical institutions; particular attention paid to
vulnerable groups; awareness raising and partnerships with
the private sector.
Sweden
Priorities: women with higher vulnerability; so-called honour
crimes; trafficking for the purposes of prostitution; intimate
partner violence. Attention to awareness raising; greater
role for municipalities; inquiry into violence against
immigrant women.
Commitment to ratify and
implement
“The former
Yugoslav
Republic of
Macedonia”
Establishing a multi-sectoral national co-ordinating body, to
assume a leading role in the implementation of the policies
for protection against domestic violence; improving quality
of assistance services for victims of violence; strengthening
judicial capacity to tackle cases of domestic violence;
emphasis on prevention.
No mention
Turkey
Opening a women’s shelter in each province; establishing
14 pilot Violence Prevention and Monitoring Centers;
monitoring and evaluating the National Action Plan on
Combating Violence against Women and replicating the
national research on domestic violence. In addition to
launching national awareness-raising campaigns on the
issue, Turkey will expand gender equality training for civil
servants and law enforcement officers, as well as for media
and students.
Integrating the Istanbul
Convention into national
legislation
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CountryChange to national policy/legislation on violence
against women and related areasIstanbul Convention
United Kingdom
Continuing its efforts to end all forms of violence against
women and girls, the United Kingdom will also be using its
presidency of the G8 to promote the Foreign Secretary's
initiative on preventing sexual violence in conflict. It is
working in 21 countries to directly address violence against
women and has invested in building the evidence base of
what works to ensure that its efforts are targeted and
provide value for money. The United Kingdom has set out
clear ambitions to end female genital mutilation within one
generation. Specific measures and plans apply to devolved
administrations (England, Wales, Scotland and Northern
Ireland).
No mention
A DIVISÃO DE REDAÇÃO E APOIO AUDIOVISUAL.