Brkić: I will vote against the ratification of the Istanbul Convention, but this will not jeopardize the unity of HDZ

The Vice President of the Croatian Parliament and Deputy President of HDZ, Milijan Brkić, stated on Thursday that he stands by all previously expressed views and will vote against the ratification of the Istanbul Convention, but the disagreement on this issue will not jeopardize the strength and unity of HDZ.

– Christian democratic values are part of my people, identity, character, and my faith. I will not give them up. I do not change my views, but I am also confident that the disagreement on this issue will not jeopardize the strength and unity of HDZ, Brkić wrote on his Facebook profile.

>>> Plenković called on representatives to support the Istanbul Convention

He notes that by entering the EU, Croats did not cease to exist as a people and did not lose everything that has connected them for centuries in terms of identity and values. By joining the EU, we recognized our deep cultural, political, and common bond with Europe and its peoples, says Brkić.

– This feeling will remain unwavering and this bond will not break. Our laborious and proud history, tradition, and rich cultural heritage are firmly woven into the Western European civilizational circle. The unbreakable centuries-old connection of our people with the Catholic Church and sincere patriotism, which in unity created our only Croatia, he stated.

The Istanbul Convention is ‘imaginary protection’

When it comes to human rights and dignity, Brkić emphasizes that he condemns and opposes all forms of abuse and violence against every person, especially violence against women and children. He believes that much stricter measures should be taken to reduce and combat this evil, and that perpetrators should be punished most severely.

>>> Plenković: It is possible that part of the party wants to destabilize me through the Istanbul Convention

– However, the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence, known as the Istanbul Convention – is not a good way to do that. We do not need any external guidelines to encourage our commitment to justice and equality in our Croatia, emphasizes the Deputy President of HDZ.

He states that HDZ has Christian democracy in its fundamental positions and values, which implies the protection of family, marriage, and children, and it is unacceptable for him that under the pretext of “imaginary protection” offered by the Istanbul Convention, gender ideology is introduced and traditional values are called into question.

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– I would like us to focus on current issues that press our daily lives instead of constant divisions in our society, to open topics of vital importance, and not to close our eyes to real and visible difficulties. I would like all of us on the political scene to start addressing all the burning issues that our people and our Homeland are facing as soon as possible, Brkić conveys on his Facebook profile.