President Maia Sandu promulgated the law to ratify the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence that is more commonly known as the Istanbul Convention, IPN reports.

Moldova’s Parliament ratified the Convention on October 14, after giving the draft law a final reading. The MPs of the Bloc of Communists and Socialists repeatedly criticized the document, asking to determine the constitutionality of this law. They consider the goal of the Convention is not the declared one and this document goes against the beliefs of most of the Moldovans. They noted the Convention has provisions that “destroy the Christian values and traditions”, “promote abortion”, “legalize same-sex marriages” and “profane the education system”.

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. 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 creating 24/24 emergency hotlines and shelters for such victims.

The Republic of Moldova is the 35th Council of Europe member state, out of 47, that ratified this document.