Local MP joins up with colleagues to call for action on domestic violence
Gavin Newlands, MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire North, has written to the new Home Secretary, Amber Rudd MP, to call her to ratify the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence, known as the Istanbul Convention.
The letter, jointly signed with MPs Jess Phillips and Tom Brake, asks the Home Secretary to ratify the convention, which sets out minimum standards for states with regard to prevention, protection, prosecution, and monitoring of issues relating to violence against women. The UK Government signed the Convention four years ago but is yet to ratify it.
The letter comes at the back of a lobby event held in Parliament on 13th July, organised by IC Change, where 40 MPs and Peers across political parties gathered to voice their support for the ratification of the Istanbul Convention and where they heard powerful personal stories from survivors of domestic violence.
Gavin said: “I was delighted to host a cross-party event a couple of weeks ago, raise awareness amongst colleagues in Parliament, and bring together these organisations doing such vital work to stop violence against women.
“Following on from the lobby event, we want to ensure that the new Home Secretary is aware of the issue and knows that we are ready and willing to assist her in the process of ratification.
“The government has done well to comply with many of the articles of the Convention but has failed to ensure that the vital protections it offers are secured through ratification. This issue is more crucial than party politics and I look forward to working together with the government on moving towards ratification.
