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The Minister for Justice and Equality, Charlie Flanagan TD, has today announced the entering into force for Ireland of the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combatting violence against women and domestic violence (the Istanbul Convention).

Announcing today’s milestone, the Minister said:

Protecting and supporting victims has been a key priority for this Government. Domestic and sexual violence are pernicious and widespread evils, affecting all social classes and genders. The entry into force of the Istanbul Convention sends an important message that Ireland will not tolerate violence against women and domestic violence. It is further proof of our commitment to protecting and supporting victims of this violence.

The Convention is a significant, international, legal instrument in combatting domestic and sexual violence. The purposes of the Convention are to protect women from all forms of violence, and prevent, prosecute and eliminate violence against women and domestic violence. The Convention also aims to ensure the design of a comprehensive framework, policies and measures for the protection of and assistance to all victims of such violence.

The Convention was ratified by Ireland on 8 March this year, International Women’s Day. In accordance with Article 76 of the Convention, the Convention has enter into force for Ireland on the first day of the month following the expiration of a period of three months after the depositing of its instrument of ratification.