Plenković: Istanbul Convention to be on the Government’s Agenda in Two Weeks; Hrast Announces Referendum

Prime Minister Andrej Plenković expressed on Thursday, International Women’s Day, his belief that the Istanbul Convention will be on the Government’s agenda in two weeks, after which it will be sent to the Croatian Parliament for ratification.

On the occasion of International Women’s Day, the Prime Minister reflected at the beginning of the Government session on the ratification of the Convention on the Protection of Women from Violence and Domestic Violence (the so-called Istanbul Convention) of the Council of Europe, and emphasized that the complete procedure for its submission to the Government is nearing completion.

The procedures have been carried out, as well as the public discussion, Plenković said, adding that he believes that all the dilemmas surrounding its ratification are not of such a nature that they cannot be bridged.

The most important thing is that we focus on the essence of this convention, which is protection from violence, he stated and called for looking at the essence of this convention, which countries have ratified it, and which parties have supported it.

>>>VE: The Purpose of the Istanbul Convention is Education Against Gender Stereotypes that Women are Inferior

– I believe that we will find the best solution in a rational discussion, and the mechanisms that exist in this convention will increase the level of protection of women’s rights and the level of protection from domestic violence, Plenković said.

Given that the topic of ratification of the Istanbul Convention has been very current in the public and the Croatian Parliament in recent days, Plenković said that numerous political parties are trying to score points on this issue in various ways. He particularly referred to the SDP, which he said had two years to ratify the convention and now, when it is not in power, is the main critic for the fact that it has not yet been ratified.

Plenković congratulated Women’s Day to all female colleagues and women in Croatia and expressed hope that his Government will contribute to a better, more equal, and improved position of women in Croatian society through its policies. He added that his Government has the highest percentage of women in the last 28 years of Croatian statehood.

>>>Višnja Ljubičić: Women Earn 11 Percent Less, Motherhood is a Major Obstacle in Business Life

– I think this is a good and quality example and that similar should be done in other aspects of public institutions and public enterprises and generally in prominent positions in Croatian society, the Prime Minister emphasized.

Before the start of the Government session, Plenković and Deputy Prime Minister Predrag Štromar distributed roses to the female members of the Government, congratulating them on International Women’s Day.

HRAST Announces Referendum Against Ratification

After Prime Minister Andrej Plenković announced on Thursday that the Istanbul Convention will soon be on the Government’s agenda, after which it will be sent to the Parliament for ratification, parliamentary representative of HRAST Hrvoje Zekanović announced that he will initiate a referendum to prevent the ratification of this, as he said, “extremely controversial” document.

– Hrast is from this moment gathering all individuals and political options, civil sector associations for the purpose of initiating a referendum on the topic of the Istanbul Convention, Zekanović told reporters in the Parliament, emphasizing that he will try to initiate a civic referendum in the next few weeks to stop the ratification of the Istanbul Convention. Zekanović is convinced that this initiative will also be supported by some representatives of the HDZ.

– It is important for us that the people say what they think about this document, he emphasized.

>>>Protest Message to the Government: We Are Not Servants and We Will Never Be, Ratify the Istanbul Convention

When asked if it makes sense to spend money on a referendum on the Istanbul Convention, Zekanović stated that it is “ridiculous, because democracy and the will of the people have no price.” Zekanović is sure that the referendum will not show that citizens are in favor of ratifying the Istanbul Convention.

– I am ready to take the risk. This will certainly not be shown. Just like last time when we did not have media support we succeeded, we will succeed this time too. The Croatian people, regardless of how much some ignore their will, think very well and feel when something is important to them, Zekanović concluded.

Puh (HNS): Plenković’s Announcement of Ratification is the Best Gift for Women’s Day

HNS representative Marija Puh expressed “extreme satisfaction” with today’s announcement by the Prime Minister that the Istanbul Convention will soon come to the Parliament.

– This is definitely the best gift for Women’s Day today, she said.

As you know, HNS has been insisting on the ratification of the Istanbul Convention all the time and I look forward to the discussion in the Parliament about the content itself and about the Istanbul Convention, she added. She does not expect, she says, any excessive pressure from coalition partners.

>>>Associations B.a.B.e. and fAKTIV Explained the Istanbul Convention

– The Istanbul Convention has so far caused a lot of discussion in the public space and I think it is the right time for the discussion to move to the Parliament and for us to discuss women’s rights and the protection of women from violence, Puh believes.

I heard Hrvoje Zekanović’s announcement about initiating a referendum to prevent the Istanbul Convention and I can only say that there have been opponents, but I believe that common sense will prevail and that all our women will receive the protection from violence they deserve, she commented on the announcement of the referendum initiation.

– All HNS representatives will support the Istanbul Convention, we have been waiting a long time for the opportunity to discuss and vote for it, Puh announced.

She did not want to speculate on how the HDZ Club will vote, saying only “you have to ask them.”