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Protesters gathered outside the legislative building this week

Latvia's parliament members have voted to withdraw from an international accord designed to protect women from violence, covering family violence, following prolonged and intense discussions in the parliament.

Several thousand of protesters assembled in the capital this week to oppose the decision. The ultimate authority now lies with Head of State the nation's president, who must determine whether to approve or veto the proposed law.

Referred to as the European treaty, the 2011 agreement only became active in Latvia last twelve months ago, mandating governments to develop laws and assistance programs to end all forms of violence.

Latvia has become the first EU country to begin the process of withdrawing from the convention. Turkey withdrew in two years ago, a decision that rights groups described as a major setback for gender equality.

Political Debate and Resistance

The treaty was ratified by the European Union in last year, yet conservative factions have argued that its focus on gender equality weakens traditional families and promotes what they term "non-traditional gender concepts".

Following a lengthy debate in the Latvian parliament, MPs decided 56 to 32 to exit from the treaty, a move sponsored by political opponents but backed by politicians from one of the three governing partners.

The result represents a defeat for centre-right government leader the nation's PM, who joined protesters outside parliament earlier this week. "We will not surrender, we will persist in our struggle so that abuse does not triumph," she stated to the crowd.

Political Disagreements and Reactions

One of the primary parties advocating for the exit is a nationalist party, whose leader has urged the public to choose between what he terms a "natural family" and "non-binary concepts with various gender identities".

The nation's ombudswoman Karina Palkova appealed for the treaty not to be politicized, while the group Equality Now asserted it was "not a threat to Latvian values, it was an instrument to realize them".

The Thursday's vote has sparked broad outcry both inside the country and internationally.

22,000 individuals have signed a Latvian appeal demanding the convention to be preserved. The women's rights organization the rights center has announced a demonstration for next Thursday, charging lawmakers of disregarding the wishes of the Latvian people.

Global Concerns and Possible Future Actions

The leader of the Council of Europe's legislative body stated that the Baltic state had made a hasty decision fueled by false information. He described it as an "unprecedented and extremely worrying regression for female equality and human rights in Europe".

He noted that since the transcontinental nation left the treaty four years ago, cases of gender-based killings and violence against women had increased significantly.

Because the decision did not achieve a two-thirds support, the president could possibly return the bill for additional consideration if he holds objections.

Head of State the national leader stated on social media that he would evaluate the decision according to legal principles, "considering state and legal factors, instead of belief-based perspectives".

Recently, another component of the ruling coalition, the Progressives, suggested it would not rule out appealing to the Constitutional Court.

"This decision represents a worrisome situation for gender equality not only in Latvia but throughout Europe," commented a rights activist.

• Domestic abuse rates have been increasing in multiple European countries
• The European treaty mandates specific safeguards for victims of domestic abuse
• Latvia's decision could affect comparable discussions in additional member states