Strasbourg, 08.04.2011 - The Committee of Ministers adopted on 7 April the text of a new Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence.
This new landmark Council of Europe treaty is the first legally binding instrument in the world creating a comprehensive legal framework to protect women against all forms of violence, and prevent, prosecute and eliminate violence against women and domestic violence. The Convention also establishes an international mechanism to monitor its implementation at national level. The Convention which is also open to accession by non European countries will be open for signature in Istanbul on 11 May 2011 on the occasion of the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers gathering Ministers of Foreign Affairs from 47 Member States.
