3 | - Número: 004 | 1 de Novembro de 2014

- Probably there where shouts, cries for help, nobody did nothing, when the police has arrived, it was too late; - Probably, there is an historic background of violence in this family’s relation, but risk assessment to protect the victim and keep control on the perpetrator has failed.

And so on, and so on, I could continue to take lessons from another killing case. I read the news today, oh boy!, and I will read it again, tomorrow, and after, and after.

Excellencies, Dear colleagues, Dear friends,

First of all, I wish to thank the organizers of this Conference. It is a pleasure to be here with you in Zagreb. I can feel that there is genuine and growing interest in the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women, the Istanbul Convention and I am happy to exchange with you on this subject.
I am aware that this is not the first time that the Istanbul Convention is under the spotlight at the Croatian Parliament .
I am informed that last year, on the occasion of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women on the 25th of November, the Gender Equality Committee (in cooperation with the NGOs Women's Network of Croatia and European Women's Lobby) held a thematic meeting on the importance of ratifying the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence.
One year later, we have a new opportunity to discuss the Convention. I am convinced that this time we are very close to reaching its ratification. I can see no reason why Croatia should not take this important step soon.
On the contrary, I see many reasons to do so: One of these reasons is the prevalence of violence: according to the survey on violence against women conducted by the EU Fundamental Rights Agency published in March this year, - 21% of women in Croatia have experienced physical and/or sexual violence by a partner or a non-partner since the age of 15; - 42% of women have experienced some form of psychological violence by a partner since the age of 15.

Croatia does not score worse than the rest of the European Union: violence against women is widespread in all European countries. But these figures are disturbing anyway. They represent a call for action by all legislators and policy makers, a call that should not be ignored. As many of you already know, the Istanbul Convention entered into force on 1st August 2014. The number of ratifications established for the Convention to enter into force was 10: but once this critical mass was reached, the wave of ratifications gained such momentum that since then we have already reached 15. It is like a chain reaction, because when the Convention is ratified by one parliament, politicians and decision makers in neighbouring countries become more familiar with the Convention, and are aware of its relevance. So, more ratifications follow.
Albania ratified the Istanbul Convention in February 2013, Montenegro in April 2013. Bosnia and Herzegovina ratified in November last year. Serbia followed later in the same month. Now I would like to ask you – What is Croatia waiting for? As I said, I am here to exchange information and views. I will be happy to learn more on what are the stumbling blocks on the way to ratification. And perhaps I could give suggestions on how they could be overcome. Istanbul Convention – the added value

Let me briefly explain why the Istanbul Convention really makes a difference – What its added value is.
The Istanbul Convention is an innovative text in several respects: