"I Have a Dream": Student Anna Wants Latvia to Stay in the Istanbul Convention

A Latvian student named Anna has publicly shared her dream for the country's future, centered on a call for politicians to preserve Latvia's participation in an international human rights document.

Anna wants the next Saeima not to revoke, but to keep in force, the so-called Istanbul Convention — the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence. This international agreement sets out obligations for member states to address violence against women and domestic violence, including protecting victims and holding perpetrators accountable.

Reducing Prejudice

Beyond preserving the convention, Anna's dream also includes a broader goal — reducing prejudice within society. She stresses that it is important not only to formally uphold international commitments, but also to bring about real change in people's attitudes and thinking.

Anna's stated view suggests that the question of the Istanbul Convention remains relevant in Latvian society, particularly in the context of the upcoming Saeima elections. The student's position reflects the wishes of part of the younger generation and the wider public that the country continue to uphold international standards for preventing violence against women and domestic violence.