Turkey becomes first country ratifying COE convention on preventing violence against women

ANKARA (A.A) - Turkey ratified late on Thursday a Council of Europe (COE) Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence, becoming the first signatory country approving the convention in its parliament. Turkish Parliament adopted the convention with 246 votes, only one lawmaker abstained from the vote. On 7 April 2011, the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe adopted of a landmark new Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence (Convention CETS No. 210). This Convention is the first legally binding instrument in the world creating a comprehensive legal framework to prevent violence, to protect victims and to end with the impunity of perpetrators. It defines and criminalizes various forms of violence against women (including forced marriage, female genital mutilation, stalking, physical and psychological violence and sexual violence). It also foresees the establishment of an international group of independent experts to monitor its implementation at national level. The Convention was opened for signature in Istanbul on 11 May 2011 and was signed by 13 countries.