In December 2017, Switzerland became the twenty-eighth state to ratify the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence, also known as the Istanbul Convention. The Istanbul Convention, named for its adoption in Istanbul, Turkey in 2011, is Europe's first comprehensive treaty designed to combat all forms of violence against women, including stalking, sexual harassment, rape, domestic violence, forced marriage and female genital mutilation. It requires states to strengthen their efforts in four primary areas: protection of victims, prevention of violence, prosecution of perpetrators, and provision of victim services, such as shelters and medical care. The Convention is also significant in that it establishes an international mechanism to monitor its implementation at the national level.
The Istanbul Convention will enter into force for Switzerland in April 2018. For a current chart of signatures and ratifications, please visit the Council of Europe’s website.
Compiled from: Switzerland Ratifies the Istanbul Convention, Council of Europe (December 14, 2017); Council of Europe Adopts New Convention to Prevent and Combat Violence against Women, Council of Europe (2011).