Brussels, 11 May 2017

Joint Statement by Frans Timmermans, First Vice-President, and Věra Jourová, Commissioner for Justice, Consumers and Gender Equality, following the Council Decision on the signing of the Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence.

“Violence against women is a violation of human rights and a brutal form of discrimination. One in three women in Europe has experienced violence at least once in her life.

The Council’s decision today is a significant step towards the EU becoming – along with its Member States – a full party to the Convention preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence (the Istanbul Convention). This is the first binding and comprehensive international instrument in Europe that addresses violence against women.

The Istanbul Convention will allow the EU and its Member States to develop and strengthen the prevention, prosecution and elimination of violence against women and girls and domestic violence.

The signing of the Istanbul Convention sends out an important political signal during the year the Commission dedicated 2017 to fighting violence against women: the EU is committed to putting an end to violence against women.”

Background

The Istanbul Convention of the Council of Europe is the most comprehensive international treaty on combatting violence against women and domestic violence. It recognises violence against women as a human rights violation. The Convention addresses violence against women through measures aimed at preventing violence, protecting victims, and prosecuting the perpetrators.

As a next step, the EU will now proceed with the conclusion of the Convention.

For more information

Factsheet on the EU actions to fight violence against women

Factsheet on the Istanbul Convention

Say no! Stop violence against women campaign