Istanbul Convention passes key Parliamentary hurdle
Gavin Newlands, MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire North, has welcomed the overwhelming vote in the UK parliament last Friday in favour of the SNP’s Private Member’s Bill to ratify the Istanbul Convention and tackle violence against women.
The Istanbul Convention has been described as the most comprehensive legal framework that exists to tackle violence against women and girls. Mr Newlands has been campaigning on the ratification of the Istanbul Convention for the past year.
The Preventing and Combating Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence (Ratification of Convention) Bill 2016-17 passed its Second Reading in the House of Commons with a huge vote in favour of 135 for to just 2 against. The bill secured cross-party support and will now proceed to subsequent parliamentary stages.
Gavin Newlands, MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire North, said:
“Last week’s vote in parliament sent out a strong message that violence against women will not be tolerated. This is a campaign that I’ve been actively in since my election, so I’m delighted to see it pass this crucial parliamentary hurdle.
“The Istanbul Convention lays the groundwork for us to do much more to prevent and combat violence against women, and domestic violence, here in the UK and overseas. It is the gold standard of violence against women legislation that has ever been written, anywhere.
“This vote is only the start of the Parliamentary process, however, it brings us a step closer to seeing the Istanbul Convention ratified. I look forward to continuing to play my part in this process.
