Latvia Withdraws from Gender Equality Treaty Amid Conservative Backlash

291 Latvia’s decision to withdraw from a landmark gender equality treaty has set off a political firestorm at home and alarmed observers across Europe. On Thursday, after a marathon 13-hour debate in the Saeima, Latvian MPs voted 56 to 32 to pull...

Latvia sending ‘dangerous message’ about women’s rights, Council of Europe says

A decision by the Latvian parliament to withdraw from a European convention on preventing and combating violence against women, sends a “dangerous message”, the Council of Europe said on Friday. A majority of Latvian deputies voted to withdraw...

BNN IN FOCUS | What Happens Next? Political scientist explains why withdrawal from the Istanbul Convention could reshape Latvia’s government

This autumn, we witnessed an unprecedented situation in Latvia’s political arena when one of the ruling parties – the Union of Greens and Farmers (ZZS) – aligned with the opposition to push for withdrawal from the Istanbul Convention. This week,...

“ZZS betrayed partners and the public – they will have to answer for this ‘infidelity’,” Latvia’s Prime Minister warns

The Union of Greens and Farmers (ZZS) will have to answer for betraying coalition partners and the public, Prime Minister Evika Siliņa (New Unity) told journalists. At a press conference following Friday’s high-level meeting between the government...

EU Court of Justice Advocate General Calls for Dismissal of Latvia’s Appeal in Aven and Fridman Sanctions Case

The Advocate General of the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) has recommended dismissing Latvia’s appeal in the case concerning the EU sanctions imposed on billionaires Pyotr Aven and Mikhail Fridman. On 30 October, the Advocate...

Estonian PM condemns Latvian Saeima's decision to withdraw from Istanbul Convention

Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal criticized the decision of the Latvian Saeima to withdraw from the Istanbul Convention on preventing violence against women and domestic violence. This was reported by ERR, writes UNN. Details According to...

Latvia poised to withdraw from Istanbul Convention

Latvia could become the first EU country to withdraw from the Istanbul Convention on violence against women following a vote by MPs. MPs yesterday backed withdrawal by 56-32 with two abstentions, despite some of the largest protests in recent...

Latvian MPs vote to pull out of treaty on protecting women from violence

Latvian MPs have voted to withdraw from an international accord aimed at protecting women from violence, including domestic abuse, after a long and intense debate in parliament. Several thousand people protested against the vote this week in Riga....

Latvia to deliver military aid and 65 vehicles to Ukraine

The Latvian national flag. Stock photo: Getty Images Latvia is set to deliver another batch of military aid and 65 vehicles donated by Latvenergo AS in cooperation with Sadales tīkls AS to Ukraine on Monday 3 November. Source: Delfi, a Baltic...

Latvia’s President faces a decisive moment: Saeima’s Istanbul Convention decision lands on his desk

President Edgars Rinkēvičs will evaluate the Saeima’s decision to withdraw from the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence, known as the Istanbul Convention. As the President’s...

Latvia votes to exit treaty opposing violence against women

The Latvian Parliament on Thursday voted to withdraw from the Istanbul Convention, an international treaty aimed at supporting women who are victims of violence. The tally from the ballot was 56 to withdraw from the treaty, 32 to remain, and two...

Latvia joins space exploration agreement

The agreement was drawn up in 2020 by the Government of the United States and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). It was introduced as part of NASA’s Artemis programme — a new international initiative aimed at returning...

Latvian Radio has a weekend of centenary celebrations to broadcast

All this year, Latvian Radio (Latvijas Radio) has been marking the centenary of its establishment in 1925 and the cycle of celebrations reaches something of a crescendo this weekend. Highlights this weekend include a history of the acclaimed...

Latvia quits Istanbul Convention despite government opposition

Published on: October 31, 2025 10:29 AM RIGA — Latvia’s parliament voted on Thursday to withdraw from the Istanbul Convention, a key international treaty aimed at preventing violence against women, after a ruling coalition partner sided with the...

Latvia's parliament votes to quit treaty on preventing violence against women

Latvia’s parliament voted on Thursday to withdraw the Baltic country from a treaty on preventing violence against women, saying that it promotes “gender” theories. Latvia’s parliament voted on Thursday to withdraw the Baltic country from a treaty...

Latvia’s parliament votes to quit global treaty protecting women

The legislation to withdraw from the treaty was introduced by a right-wing opposition party, Latvia First, but passed with support from one of the three parties in the ruling coalition. The centrist Union of Greens and Farmers diverged from the...

Latvian Parliament Votes to Withdraw from Istanbul Convention

Latvia has voted to withdraw from the Istanbul Convention, a treaty designed to protect women from violence, after a 13-hour parliamentary debate on Thursday. The decision comes amid growing political divisions and widespread public protests,...

Latvia votes to quit treaty on preventing violence against women

Latvia votes to quit treaty on preventing violence against women RIGA, Oct 31, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - Latvia's parliament voted on Thursday to withdraw the Baltic country from a treaty on preventing violence against women, saying that it promotes...

Latvia votes to withdraw from Istanbul Convention

The Latvian Parliament on Thursday voted to withdraw from the Istanbul Convention, an international treaty aimed at supporting women who are victims of violence. The tally from the ballot was 56 to withdraw from the treaty, 32 to remain, and two...

Latvian parliament votes to exit Istanbul Convention

After a marathon day of debates lasting more than 13 hours deputies voted to quit the international treaty by 56 votes to 32, with 2 abstentions. Last week, after lengthy debates, the Saeima supported withdrawal from the Istanbul Convention in its...