Ratification of Istanbul Convention being priority of Moldovan authorities, says foreign minister

Chisinau, 03 October  /MOLDPRES/ – The need for ratification of the Istanbul Convention was stressed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration, Nicu Popescu, at the national conference on the prevention and combating of violence against women – the Istanbul Convention of the Council of Europe, organised by the MAEIE in partnership with the French Embassy in Moldova and the Council of Europe Office in Chisinau.

According to the MAEIE’s public diplomacy, strategic communication and media interaction service, the head of the Moldovan diplomacy emphasised the importance of the Government of Moldova to the orientation towards the European democratic value space, including in the context of adopting a "zero tolerance" policy towards any form of violence.

Also, Nicu Popescu mentioned that the national authorities are involved in a complex process of connection of the national legislation, so that there are ensured the functionality and the proper implementation of its provisions, with the ratification of the Istanbul Convention.

At the conference, the participants exchanged views on international concepts and tools to combat violence against women, as well as the efforts required to create a support system for victims of such crimes.

The event was attended by representatives of public authorities, international partners, members of diplomatic corps and representatives of civil society.

Moldova signed on 06 February 2017 the Council of Europe Convention on the Prevention and Combating of Violence against Women and Domestic Violence, also known as the Istanbul Convention, along with 45 other states.

The Istanbul Convention is the first legal document at the level that provides for a unitary approach to the prevention, investigation and punishment of acts of violence against women and domestic violence, including by prosecuting the perpetrators of this type of crime.