The Protestant Reformed Christian Church on Thursday, in light of the announcement of the ratification of the Istanbul Convention, stated that it considers the ratification unnecessary and harmful without prior serious discussion among all parts of society regarding the convention, which they say imposes gender ideology on Croatian society.
>>>Purpose and Leading Features of the Istanbul Convention – Council of Europe leaflet
The mere fact that the Istanbul Convention divides an already divided Croatian society is sufficient reason to approach this issue with utmost seriousness and in the interest of Croatia, and all its citizens, states the statement from the Bishop’s Office of the Protestant Reformed Christian Church in Croatia.
This Church believes that the protection of women from all forms of violence requires active engagement from all structures of society, and as Christians, they advocate for the respect and protection of every individual and the suppression of violence regardless of gender, national, racial, religious, or any other affiliation.
Imposition of Gender Ideology
However, the Istanbul Convention “does not only speak about the protection of women from violence, but imposes gender ideology on Croatian society that is contrary to the worldview of the majority of Croatian citizens and the values that Croatian society inherits, while the prevention of violence against women is already embedded in Croatian legislation, and anything that is not yet can be incorporated without ideological additions,” the statement says.
