<h3 data-start="196" data-end="279">Latvia&rsquo;s Streets Fill with Protesters over Women&rsquo;s Rights Treaty Withdrawal</h3>
Thousands of demonstrators gathered in Riga, the Latvian capital, on Thursday night to protest against the government&rsquo;s move to withdraw from the Istanbul Convention, a key European human rights treaty protecting women from violence and domestic abuse.
According to police estimates, over 10,000 people joined the rally titled &ldquo;Let&rsquo;s Protect Mother Latvia&rdquo;, organised by the Marta Centre, a local NGO advocating gender equality and victim protection. The protestors filled the streets near the Saeima (Parliament), waving placards and demanding that lawmakers safeguard human rights and women&rsquo;s safety.
The demonstration followed President Edgars Rinkēvičs&rsquo;s decision to return the withdrawal bill to the Saeima for further review. On 31 October, the Latvian parliament had voted in favour of exiting the Istanbul Convention, sparking widespread public backlash and international concern.
In his letter to Parliament Speaker Daiga Mieriņa, President Rinkēvičs warned that Latvia&rsquo;s withdrawal would make it the first European Union member state to abandon an international human rights treaty. He cautioned that such a move could undermine the rule of law in Europe and weaken Latvia&rsquo;s global credibility.
Rinkēvičs, who belongs to the centre-right Unity Party, argued that the necessary preparatory work for withdrawal had not been completed. He noted that leaving the treaty without enacting a comprehensive national law to combat violence against women would create a legal vacuum, leaving victims more vulnerable.
The president suggested that the next Saeima, which takes office after elections scheduled for next autumn, should reconsider the issue. While Rinkēvičs has the constitutional right to send the bill back to parliament, he cannot overturn its decision if the house reaffirms the vote.
Meanwhile, a petition with over 60,000 signatures has urged the president to maintain Latvia&rsquo;s commitment to the Istanbul Convention. Observers warn that a constitutional confrontation&mdash;or even a national referendum&mdash;may be the final recourse if political deadlock continues.

Protesters rally in Riga over women’s rights treaty

Over 10,000 protest in Riga as Latvia debates withdrawal from Istanbul Convention

Thousands Rally to Defend Women’s Rights

Over 10,000 protest in Riga as Latvia debates withdrawal from Istanbul Convention

November 7, 2025 | 15:59 IST