site.btaEU Justice Commissioner Says Istanbul Convention Does Not Propose Risky Measures

Sofia, April 30 (BTA) - The European Commissioner for Justice, Consumers and Gender Equality, Vera Jourova, believes that the Istanbul Convention does not propose any risky measures for society and should be ratified. Speaking at a discussion on violence against women, hosted by Sofia's House of Europe on Monday, Jourova said the Convention is very practically oriented and aimed to stamp out violence against the weaker members of society: women and children.

She objected to the notion that the Istanbul Convention (formally: the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence) seeks to impose a particular "gender ideology," which is, basically, Bulgaria's reason to refuse to ratify it.

"You should read a better translation of the Convention. There is no mention of a 'third gender' or 'same sex marriage' in it," Jourova said, noting that the problem is partly linguistic. She added: "We are not exerting pressure. We are trying to convince countries to adopt the Convention because I believe it can address the issue of violence."

Reacting to allegations that the Istanbul Convention jeopardizes family traditions, the European Commissioner said she respects traditions but they should not be defended if they imply domestic violence. She said: "This is about equality. We want fair competition with men, not privileges [for women]."

Asked how men can be protected, for example in divorce cases, Jourova noted that shelters for victims of domestic violence can be used by men too.

One in three women in Europe has been a victim of some sort of violence, the Commissioner said. She observed that violence against women is closely linked to the victims' economic situation because, for example, a poor woman cannot afford to leave her abusive husband.

She said that only between 15 and 20 per cent of rapes are reported to the authorities because the victims often feel guilty, although the responsibility actually rests with the perpetrators.