Czech Republic doesn’t ratify Istanbul Convention lobbying for LGBT

The Senate of the Czech Republic. Photo: Senát PČR

The Upper House of the Czech Parliament did not approve the Council of Europe's Istanbul Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence, Radio Praga International reports.

Only 34 of the 71 senators present in the Upper House of the Czech Parliament on Wednesday voted in favour of ratifying the treaty, known as the Istanbul Convention. That fell two votes short of the majority needed for passage.

Opponents of the convention were concerned about its impact on society and the concealment of its true goals. These included deviating from the standard concept of man and woman, imposing gender ideology or, for example, attempts by non-governmental organisations to obtain financial contributions from the state to implement the Convention. They noted that the adoption of the Convention has not reduced the incidence of violence in countries that have ratified it.

Representatives of the Czech Christian Churches welcomed the Senate's decision, while Government Minister for European Affairs Martin Dvořák called the rejection of the bill by the Upper House "a disgrace in Europe".

As reported, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine ratified the Istanbul Convention by 259 votes, ignoring the Churches' call not to do so during the war.

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