25-Jul-2020: Poland to withdraw from the Istanbul Convention.

Poland is set to take steps to withdraw from a European treaty on violence against women – the Istanbul Convention.

The Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence is better known as the Istanbul Convention.

It is the first legally-binding instrument which “creates a comprehensive legal framework and approach to combat violence against women” and is focussed on preventing domestic violence, protecting victims and prosecuting accused offenders.

Only European countries have signed this convention. It has been signed by 45 countries and the European Union (EU).

In 2012, Turkey became the first country to ratify the Convention. The Convention came into force on 1st August 2014.