The Polish parliament has voted to authorize the President to ratify the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence (Istanbul Convention). The vote was 254-175 in favor of ratifying the treaty. Poland signed the Istanbul Convention in December of 2012, but opposition from the Polish Conference of Bishops and conservative lawmakers stalled consideration of the treaty in parliament.
The Istanbul Convention entered into force on August 1, 2014 and requires ratifying states to take concrete steps to eliminate all forms of violence against women, including domestic and sexual violence, forced and child marriage and female genital mutilation. Sixteen countries, excluding Poland, have officially ratified the Convention.
An updated list of signatures and ratifications is available on the Council of Europe's website.
Compiled from: MPs ratify anti-violence against women convention, Radio Poland (February 6, 2015); Polish lawmakers approve law against domestic violence, after fiery debate about family values, U.S. News & World Report and the Associated Press (February 6, 2015).