Draft Law on Ratification of the Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence of the Council of Europe has been included in the agenda of the regular autumn session of the National Assembly of Serbia. On 17 October 2013, the MPs started a public debate about the Draft Law.

The Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence is the most comprehensive international treaty in this field. It calls on states to work on the change of attitudes – changes in social and cultural patterns of behaviour of women and men in order to eradicate harmful gender stereotypes and prejudices. Furthermore, the Convention calls on states to build a more efficient system for the protection of the victims, to strengthen cooperation and active participation of relevant state institutions and civil society organizations and to monitor and report on implementation of all provisions of the Convention in a systemic manner.

In order for the Convention to come into force, it is necessary that at least 10 Council of Europe Member States ratify it. Praxis hereby calls on the MPs to adopt the Draft Law on Ratification of the Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence of the Council of Europe.

Download - Draft Law on Ratification of the Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence of the CoE (Serbian only)