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

Implementation and monitoring The Istanbul Convention adds value to its standards by establishing a strong monitoring mechanism, which is scheduled to become operational from March 2015. This mechanism will include two bodies:

- the GREVIO, Group of experts on action against violence against women and domestic violence, made up of 10 to 15 members with a four year mandate; - and the Committee of the Parties, composed of representatives of the State Parties to the Convention. GREVIO members will be experts in the fields of human rights, gender equality and violence against women. They will have to be not only competent, but also independent in the exercise of their functions. Parliaments will also be involved in monitoring the implementation of the Convention. Monitoring will be based on reports submitted by the State parties, but also on information provided by the parliaments. The involvement of parliamentarians is twofold: - at national level, parliaments will participate in monitoring the measures taken by the State parties to implement the Convention; - at a European level, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe will be invited to regularly take stock of the Convention. It will have the opportunity to raise concerns, indicate shortcomings, draw attention to the need to turn specific provisions of the Convention into reality. This is another innovative element of this landmark convention. And it’s good news not only for us parliamentarians, but for all citizens. In fact, it is in the best interests of everybody that elected representatives be allowed to give their contribution to the very important task of monitoring the implementation of the Convention. The important role that parliamentarians may play in the monitoring of the Convention represents a great responsibility. A responsibility that we endorse, just as we have done so far, because we owe it to the victims of violence. The Parliamentary Network

Parliamentarians all over Europe have already spared no effort to support the Convention: they have lobbied their respective governments into signing it. They initiated procedures for ratification, and in 15 countries they have achieved it. Many of them have taken part in the activities of a special structure set up by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe: the Parliamentary Network Women Free from Violence. This body was established to participate in the Council of Europe campaign on Violence against Women, in 2006-2008. At the end of the Campaign, we realized that we should go ahead. Our new objective became promoting the entry into force of the Istanbul Convention. Network members work as Ambassadors of the Istanbul Convention in their national parliaments, by asking questions to relevant Ministers, introducing bills and legislative initiatives. They share information on legislation and policies in their respective countries. The Network has published a huge amount of information material. Just consider that our Handbook for Parliamentarians on the Istanbul Convention, which can actually also be very useful for NGOs and other stakeholders, is now available in 16 languages! For that, we have to thank the voluntary contributions of a number of parliaments and other donors.
I am presently working on a new Handbook, focusing on the best practices on combating violence against women all over Europe.
We have a Facebook page which is a precious source of information. I invite you all to “like” it and become followers.