Rodriguez stresses the importance of ratifying the Istanbul Convention and condemns the trivialization of violence against women
The Spanish MEP Soraya Rodríguez Ramos, from Renew Europe parliamentary group, has expressed her strong criticism of the recent statements of the Secretary of State for Equality. Speaking in the European Parliament, Rodriguez said: ‘Amendments have been tabled that will help strengthen the clear message that we will send from the European Parliament to ratify the Istanbul Convention’.
The MEP stressed that the reason for not ratifying the convention yet ‘is not a legal reason but a political reason’. He also emphasized the importance of ratifying the convention as a clear message of protection to victims, crime prevention, awareness of gender-based violence and persecution of aggressors.
Rodriguez also lamented a ‘unfortunate show’ that occurred recently, where a senior official in the Ministry of Equality mocked and trivialized the reduction of penalties for rapists. She stressed that victims of violence and rape need respect, justice and reparation, and stressed the importance of not allowing society to normalize violence against women.
The MEP concluded her speech with an urgent call for ratification of the Istanbul Convention in the European Union. ‘We need this instrument as soon as possible’, said Soraya Rodríguez Ramos.
