“This is a decision that would allow us to close this issue,” the Prime Minister told reporters in the Seimas on Tuesday.
“It seems to me that there is no simpler way to make sure of this matter, except that the Seimas has such competence, as to apply to the Constitutional Court for this clarification”, added I.Šimonytė.
According to her, after the CT provides an explanation, the decision on the ratification of the convention “would still be a decision of political will.”
On Tuesday, after the discussion, parliamentarians agreed to appeal to the Constitutional Court regarding the compliance of the Istanbul Convention with the main law of Lithuania. This proposal was made by the Speaker of the Seimas, Viktorija Čmilytės-Nielsen.
According to the Speaker of the Seimas, the CT would be asked to clarify whether concepts such as “social aspect of gender”, “social gender”, “non-stereotypical roles based on the social aspect of gender”, “non-stereotypical gender roles” used in the convention do not contradict the Lithuanian Constitution.
V. Čmilytės-Nielsen has said that both supporters of the convention and its opponents asked to apply to the Supreme Court.
“(…) all theses that are written in the appeal, this is basically what the opponents of the ratification of the convention often claim,” said I.Šimonytė.
The Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence was adopted in 2011, Lithuania signed it on June 7, 2013 and has not yet ratified it.
Former president Dalia Grybauskaitė submitted the Istanbul Convention to the Seimas of Lithuania for ratification, but the process got stuck due to disagreements between politicians on some provisions of the document.
Council of Europe experts claim that Lithuania would benefit from advice on curbing domestic violence. The Catholic Church and some politicians say that due to the convention, Lithuania may have to change the concept of gender and introduce unacceptable provisions on homosexuality.
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#Premier #interpretation #Istanbul #Convention #close #issue
**Interview with Political Analyst Dr. Rasa Gudinaitė on Lithuania’s Decision to Refer the Istanbul Convention to the Constitutional Court**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Gudinaitė. Lithuania’s Prime Minister recently expressed a desire to resolve the legal standing of the Istanbul Convention by referring it to the Constitutional Court. What do you think motivated this decision?
**Dr. Gudinaitė:** Thank you for having me. The motivation seems to stem from a combination of political and social factors. The Prime Minister, Ingrida Šimonytė, emphasized the need for clarity regarding the convention’s alignment with Lithuania’s Constitution. This reflects broader concerns within the parliament about how the convention’s concepts might influence existing laws on gender and family.
**Editor:** The Speaker of the Seimas highlighted specific terms within the convention, like “social aspect of gender” and “non-stereotypical roles.” Why are these terms controversial in Lithuania?
**Dr. Gudinaitė:** These terms can be seen as challenging existing societal norms and may evoke fears of changing traditional gender roles in a conservative society. There is significant apprehension about how these concepts could influence legal interpretations of gender and relationships in Lithuania, leading to resistance against the convention across various political factions.
**Editor:** If the Constitutional Court provides clarity on this issue, what outcomes could we expect in terms of the ratification process?
**Dr. Gudinaitė:** Ultimately, the ratification will depend on the political will of the governing bodies and public sentiment. A ruling supportive of the convention could encourage lawmakers to proceed with ratification, but if the court raises concerns, it could stall any movement toward acceptance. The actual tangible outcome will heavily depend on how the public and political landscape evolves in response to the court’s decision.
**Editor:** What impact might this decision have on Lithuania’s international standing, especially regarding human rights?
**Dr. Gudinaitė:** The way Lithuania handles the Istanbul Convention could significantly affect its reputation in the international community, particularly in areas related to human rights and gender equality. A refusal to ratify could be perceived as a step back in addressing gender-based violence and could lead to criticism from international organizations advocating for these rights. Conversely, ratification could bolster Lithuania’s commitment to modern human rights standards, although it may face domestic backlash.
**Editor:** Thank you, Dr. Gudinaitė, for sharing your insights on this pressing issue facing Lithuania.
**Dr. Gudinaitė:** Thank you for having me.
, what implications could that have for the ratification process of the Istanbul Convention in Lithuania?
**Dr. Gudinaitė:** The implications could be significant. If the Constitutional Court determines that the terms used in the convention are indeed consistent with the Lithuanian Constitution, it could pave the way for ratification. This would provide political cover for those in favor of the convention, allowing them to argue that the legal groundwork has been laid for addressing domestic violence. However, if the Court finds discrepancies, it could further complicate the ratification process and amplify the dissent from those who believe the convention could threaten traditional values.
**Editor:** You mentioned political factions opposing the convention. What are their main arguments against it?
**Dr. Gudinaitė:** Opponents largely express concerns about the convention’s implications for gender identity and sexuality. They argue that it could push Lithuania toward adopting more progressive views on gender roles and potentially conflicting with conservative beliefs held by many citizens, particularly in religious communities like the Catholic Church. Critics fear that ratifying the convention could lead to legal changes that challenge established family structures and norms in Lithuanian society.
**Editor:** Given these challenges, what does this recent decision by the Seimas say about the current political climate in Lithuania?
**Dr. Gudinaitė:** The decision indicates a deeply polarized political environment. While there is a clear intention among some lawmakers to advance societal protections against violence, there is equal pushback against what is perceived as foreign influence on domestic matters. This reflects broader tensions in Lithuania regarding equality, gender issues, and the role of international agreements in shaping local policy. The government appears caught between the need for progress in safeguarding human rights and the demands of a substantial portion of the populace that values traditional ideologies.
**Editor:** Thank you for your insights, Dr. Gudinaitė. It will be interesting to see how this situation develops as Lithuania navigates these complex social and legal issues in the coming months.
**Dr. Gudinaitė:** Thank you for having me. It’s a critical period for Lithuania, and I hope for constructive discussions moving forward.
