The Bloc of Communists and Socialists (BCS) requested to determine the constitutionality of the law by which the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence, which is known as the Istanbul Convention, was ratified. The filing of such an application by BCS MPs Vasile Bolea and Grigore Novac to the Constitutional Court was confirmed for IPN by Stanislav Pavlovschi, who is in charge of media relations at the Court.

The Convention was adopted by the Council of Europe on May 11, 2011. The Republic of Moldova signed it on February 6, 2017, but its ratification was put off for several times. On October 1 this year, the bill was given a first reading by Parliament in the absence of the BCS MPs, who left the assembly hall before this was put to the vote, saying the intention to ratify the Convention is shameful. On October 14, the bill was given a final reading and was carried.

According to the authorities, by ratifying the Istanbul Convention, Moldova joins the effort to ensure the prevention and combating of violence against women and domestic violence. Resources will be allocated for ensuring the functionality of crisis centers for the victims of violence, for 24/24 emergency hotlines, for shelters.

The Bloc of Communists and Socialists repeatedly criticized the document, saying it contains provisions that “destroy the Christian values and traditions”, “promote abortion”, “legalize same-sex marriages” and “profane the education system”. The Orthodox Church of Moldova also argued against the ratification of the Istanbul Convention, saying that it has always pleaded for the prevention and combating of violence, but this Convention is aimed at “eradicating traditions” and its provisions “directly encroach on the rights of parents to educate their children”.