Latvia’s Withdrawal from Istanbul Convention Reveals the Cost of Politicizing Victim Support

In a stark demonstration of how ideological battles can undermine real-world protections, Latvia’s parliament voted to withdraw from the Istanbul Convention — an international treaty designed to support women who suffer domestic violence. This decision follows a grueling 13-hour session marked by intense division, revealing cracks not only in Latvia’s governing coalition but also in Europe’s broader commitment to justice and human rights. Is Political Expediency Replacing Common-Sense Protections? Since coming into force in Latvia earlier this year, the Istanbul Convention aimed to standardize safeguards for victims of violence, especially women. Yet ultra-conservative factions in Latvia and elsewhere have seized...