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10,000 Protest Latvia's Withdrawal from Istanbul Convention

11/7/2025

44 3 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

On November 6, 2025, thousands protested in Riga against Latvia's withdrawal from the Istanbul Convention.
Organizers including the Marta Centre emphasized human rights and drew at least 10,000 attendees.
The Saeima voted to withdraw from the Istanbul Convention.
President Edgars Rinkevics returned the bill for reconsideration.
The issue will be revisited by the next parliament.

History

Historical Context

The Istanbul Convention, established in 2019 to combat violence against women, was endorsed by 45 countries, including Latvia. However, recent protests in Riga and the Saeima's vote to withdraw from the convention signal a backlash against women's rights protections. This withdrawal threatens to reverse progress in gender equality, reflecting ongoing struggles against gender-based violence, which affects about 1 in 3 women globally.

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Story summary

On November 6, 2025, thousands protested in Riga against Latvia's withdrawal from the Istanbul Convention.
Organizers including the Marta Centre emphasized human rights and drew at least 10,000 attendees.
The Saeima voted to withdraw from the Istanbul Convention.
President Edgars Rinkevics returned the bill for reconsideration.
The issue will be revisited by the next parliament.

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