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...

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...

Latvia: President must reverse parliament’s appalling and dangerous decision to leave Istanbul Convention 

Responding to the Latvian parliament’s vote to leave the Council of Europe convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence, also known as the Istanbul Convention, Amnesty International’s Senior Campaigner on...

Latvia Denounces Istanbul Convention Amid Political Crisis and Protests

After lengthy debates in the Latvian Parliament (Saeima), the bill to denounce the Istanbul Convention – the Council of Europe’s international treaty aimed at preventing violence against women and domestic violence – was approved in the second,...

Latvian parliament votes to quit convention protecting women

By Andrius Sytas and Janis Laizans RIGA (Reuters) -Latvia’s parliament voted on Thursday to quit an international treaty aimed at combating violence against women, after a conservative partner in the ruling coalition broke ranks to support the...

Latvian Parliament

WARSAW, Poland (AP) — The Latvian Parliament voted Thursday to withdraw from the Istanbul Convention, a treaty aimed at supporting women who are victims of violence, after a 13-hour session of intense debate. The Council of Europe treaty entered...

Government submits energy sector development plan to Riigikogu

The government has submitted the draft Energy Economy Development Plan 2035 (ENMAK) to the Riigikogu for debate. The plan aims to guarantee energy security, increase Estonia's competitiveness and contribute to the transition to a clean energy...

Latvia adds big batteries to complete grid sync with Europe, two major Estonian projects secure finance

Latvia’s transmission system operator Augstsprieguma tīkls (AST) has commissioned two utility-scale battery energy storage systems (BESS) in Rēzekne and Tume, describing the milestone as the final step in synchronizing the Baltic power grids with...

Latvia’s and international leaders in security, technology, and investment to gather in Liepāja for the first Latvian Dual-Use Export Forum

On November 11–12, the Latvian Dual-Use Export Forum 2025 will take place in Liepāja (concert hall “Great Amber”) for the first time, bringing together entrepreneurs, investors, and representatives from public administration and the security...

“I am ashamed!” Vīķe-Freiberga condemns Saeima’s Istanbul Convention decision – “Backwards crawl that will weaken Latvia”

Former President of Latvia Vaira Vīķe-Freiberga has sharply criticised the Saeima’s decision in a social media post, calling it an example of “backwards crawling” that damages Latvia’s reputation as a modern European democracy. She stresses that...

Saeima decides – Latvia must withdraw from the Istanbul Convention

On Thursday, the 30th of October, with votes from the opposition and the Union of Greens and Farmers (ZZS), the Saeima adopted a law for Latvia to withdraw from the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women...

France Just Updated Its Rape Law to Center Consent

A demonstrator holds a placard reading “#MeToo is a revolt” during a protest to condemn violence against women, in Paris on Nov. 23, 2024. Credit - Jerome Gilles—NurPhoto/Getty Images France has enshrined the definition of rape and sexual assault...

Don't be surprised by the sight of military on the move in Latvia

From November 2nd to 10th, the NATO Multinational Brigade in Latvia will launch the active phase of its current "Resolute Warrior" exercise, during which increased movement of allied military equipment is planned along national and regional roads...

Tribeca Festival Lisboa Dazzles With Meg Ryan, Kim Cattrall, Giancarlo Esposito and On-the-Rise Portuguese Talent

Tribeca Festival Lisboa wrapped its second edition on Saturday after hosting a bevy of U.S. talent, led by Meg Ryan, Kim Cattrall, Edie Falco, Giancarlo Esposito, Ed Westwick and Daniela Ruah and Piper Perabo and director Stephen Kay, her husband....

Now Latvia has some explaining to do

Deputies voted by 56 to 32 with 2 abstentions. There were 90 of the 100 Saeima deputies registered to vote. The 56 voting to leave the Convention were from the parties For Stability!, the National Alliance, Latvia In First Place, the United List,...

Pagans in Latvia gain recognition

LATVIA has become the first European country to confer official national status on a pagan religion, allowing its ministers to officiate at weddings, teach in schools, and serve as army and hospital chaplains. The religion, Dievturiba, was...

Saeima representative talks up Nordic-Baltic "regional unity" even as Latvia ponders going it alone

The Nordic advantage lies in the ability to act together – to build trust across borders, to make decisions based on shared values, and to defend a rules-based international order. The Baltic countries, on the other hand, have a deep understanding...