Convention CoE En

7/28/2019 Convention CoE En

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12 Apri l, 2011

Council of Europe Convention on preventingand combating violence against women and

domestic violence


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Preamble ............................................................................................................................. 5Chapter I Purposes, definitions, equality and non-discrimination, general obligations .. 7

Article 1 Purposes of the Convention .......................................................................... 7Article 2 Scope of the Convention ............................................................................... 7Article 3 Definitions .................................................................................................... 7Article 4 Fundamental rights, equality and non-discrimination .................................. 8

Article 5 State obligations and due diligence .............................................................. 9Article 6 Gender-sensitive policies .............................................................................. 9

Chapter II Integrated policies and data collection ........................................................... 9Article 7 Comprehensive and co-ordinated policies .................................................... 9Article 8 Financial resources ..................................................................................... 10Article 9 Non-governmental organisations and civil society ..................................... 10Article 10 Co-ordinating body ................................................................................... 10Article 11 Data collection and research ..................................................................... 10

Chapter III Prevention .................................................................................................... 11Article 12 General obligations ................................................................................... 11Article 13 Awareness-raising ..................................................................................... 11

Article 14 Education .................................................................................................. 12Article 15 Training of professionals .......................................................................... 12Article 16 Preventive intervention and treatment programmes ................................. 12Article 17 Participation of the private sector and the media ...................................... 13

Chapter IV Protection and support ................................................................................ 13Article 18 General obligations ................................................................................... 13Article 19 Information ............................................................................................... 14Article 20 General support services ........................................................................... 14Article 21 Assistance in individual/collective complaints ......................................... 14Article 22 Specialist support services ........................................................................ 14Article 23 Shelters ...................................................................................................... 15Article 24 Telephone helplines .................................................................................. 15Article 25 Support for victims of sexual violence ..................................................... 15Article 26 Protection and support for child witnesses ............................................... 15Article 27 Reporting .................................................................................................. 15Article 28 Reporting by professionals ....................................................................... 15

Chapter V Substantive law............................................................................................. 16Article 29 Civil lawsuits and remedies ...................................................................... 16Article 30 Compensation ........................................................................................... 16Article 31 Custody, visitation rights and safety ......................................................... 16Article 32 Civil consequences of forced marriages ................................................... 17Article 33 Psychological violence ............................................................................. 17Article 34 Stalking ..................................................................................................... 17Article 35 Physical violence ...................................................................................... 17Article 36 Sexual violence, including rape ................................................................ 17Article 37 Forced marriage ........................................................................................ 17Article 38 Female genital mutilation ......................................................................... 18Article 39 Forced abortion and forced sterilisation ................................................... 18Article 40 Sexual harassment ..................................................................................... 18


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Article 41 Aiding or abetting and attempt ................................................................. 18Article 42 Unacceptable justifications for crimes, including crimes committed in thename of so-called honour .......................................................................................... 19Article 43 Application of criminal offences .............................................................. 19Article 44 Jurisdiction ................................................................................................ 19Article 45 Sanctions and measures ............................................................................ 20

Article 46 Aggravating circumstances ....................................................................... 20Article 47 Sentences passed by another Party ........................................................... 21Article 48 Prohibition of mandatory alternative dispute resolution processes orsentencing ..................................................................................................................... 21

Chapter VI Investigation, prosecution, procedural law and protective measures .......... 21Article 49 General obligations ................................................................................... 21Article 50 Immediate response, prevention and protection ....................................... 22Article 51 Risk assessment and risk management ..................................................... 22Article 52 Emergency barring orders ......................................................................... 22Article 53 Restraining or protection orders ............................................................... 22Article 54 Investigations and evidence ...................................................................... 23

Article 56 Measures of protection.............................................................................. 23Article 57 Legal aid ................................................................................................... 24Article 58 Statute of limitation .................................................................................. 24

Chapter VII Migration and asylum ................................................................................ 25Article 59 Residence status ........................................................................................ 25Article 60 Gender-based asylum claims .................................................................... 25Article 61 Non-refoulement ....................................................................................... 26

Chapter VIII International co-operation ........................................................................ 26Article 62 General principles ..................................................................................... 26Article 63 Measures relating to persons at risk .......................................................... 27Article 64 Information ............................................................................................... 27Article 65 Data Protection ......................................................................................... 27

Chapter IX Monitoring mechanism ............................................................................... 28Article 66 Group of experts on action against violence against women and domesticviolence ......................................................................................................................... 28Article 67 Committee of the Parties ........................................................................... 29Article 68 Procedure .................................................................................................. 29Article 69 General recommendations ........................................................................ 31Article 70 Parliamentary involvement in monitoring ................................................ 31

Chapter X Relationship with other international instruments........................................ 31Article 71 Relationship with other international instruments .................................... 31

Chapter XI Amendments to the Convention .................................................................. 32Article 72 Amendments ............................................................................................. 32

Chapter XII Final clauses............................................................................................... 32Article 73 Effects of this Convention ........................................................................ 32Article 74 Dispute settlement ..................................................................................... 32Article 75 Signature and entry into force ................................................................... 33Article 76 Accession to the Convention .................................................................... 33Article 77 Territorial application ............................................................................... 33


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Article 78 Reservations .............................................................................................. 34Article 79 Validity and review of reservations .......................................................... 34Article 80 Denunciation ............................................................................................. 35Article 81 Notification ............................................................................................... 35


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Preamble

ThememberStatesoftheCouncilofEuropeandtheothersignatorieshereto,

Recalling

the

Convention

for

the

Protection

of

Human

Rights

and

Fundamental

Freedoms(ETSNo.5,1950)anditsProtocols,theEuropeanSocialCharter(ETSNo.35,

1961,revisedin1996,ETSNo.163),theCouncilofEuropeConventiononActionagainst

Trafficking in Human Beings (CETS No. 197, 2005) and the Council of Europe

ConventionontheProtectionofChildrenagainstSexualExploitationandSexualAbuse

(CETSNo.201,2007);

Recalling the following recommendations of the Committee of Ministers to member

StatesoftheCouncilofEurope:RecommendationRec(2002)5ontheprotectionofwomen

against violence,RecommendationCM/Rec(2007)17 on gender equality standards and

mechanisms, Recommendation CM/Rec(2010)10 on the role of women and men in

conflict prevention and resolution and in peace building, and other relevant

recommendations;

TakingaccountofthegrowingbodyofcaselawoftheEuropeanCourtofHumanRights

whichsetsimportantstandardsinthefieldofviolenceagainstwomen;

Having regard to the InternationalCovenant onCivil and PoliticalRights (1966), the

International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (1966), the United

NationsConventionontheEliminationofAllFormsofDiscriminationAgainstWomen

(CEDAW,1979)and itsOptionalProtocol (1999)aswellasGeneralRecommendation

No. 19 of the CEDAW Committee on violence against women, the United Nations

Conventionon theRightsof theChild (1989)and itsOptionalProtocols (2000)and the

UnitedNations

Convention

on

the

Rights

of

Persons

with

Disabilities

(2006);

HavingregardtotheRomeStatuteoftheInternationalCriminalCourt(2002);

Recalling the basic principles of international humanitarian law, and especially the

GenevaConvention (IV) relative to theProtectionofCivilianPersons inTime ofWar

(1949)andtheAdditionalProtocolsIandII(1977)thereto;

Condemningallformsofviolenceagainstwomenanddomesticviolence;

Recognisingthattherealisationofdejureanddefactoequalitybetweenwomenandmenis

akey

element

in

the

prevention

of

violence

against

women;

Recognising that violence against women is a manifestation of historically unequal

power relationsbetween women and men, which have led to domination over, and

discriminationagainst,womenbymenandtothepreventionofthefulladvancementof

women;


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Recognising thestructuralnatureofviolenceagainstwomenasgenderbasedviolence,

and that violence against women is one of the crucial social mechanismsby which

womenareforcedintoasubordinatepositioncomparedwithmen;

Recognising, with grave concern, that women and girls are often exposed to serious

forms

of

violence

such

as

domestic

violence,

sexual

harassment,

rape,

forced

marriage,

crimes committed in the name of socalled honour and genital mutilation, which

constitute a serious violation of the human rights of women and girls and a major

obstacletotheachievementofequalitybetweenwomenandmen;

Recognising theongoinghumanrightsviolationsduringarmedconflicts thataffect the

civilianpopulation,especiallywomenintheformofwidespreadorsystematicrapeand

sexualviolenceand thepotential for increasedgenderbasedviolencebothduringand

afterconflicts;

Recognisingthatwomenandgirlsareexposedtoahigherriskofgenderbasedviolence

thanmen;

Recognisingthatdomesticviolenceaffectswomendisproportionately,andthatmenmay

alsobevictimsofdomesticviolence;

Recognising that children are victims of domestic violence, including aswitnesses of

violenceinthefamily;

AspiringtocreateaEuropefreefromviolenceagainstwomenanddomesticviolence,

Haveagreedasfollows:


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ChapterIPurposes,definitions,equalityand

nondiscrimination,generalobligations

Article1PurposesoftheConvention

1 ThepurposesofthisConventionareto:

a protect women against all forms of violence, and prevent, prosecute and

eliminateviolenceagainstwomenanddomesticviolence;

b contributetotheeliminationofallformsofdiscriminationagainstwomenand

promote

substantive

equality

between

women

and

men,

including

by

empoweringwomen;

c designacomprehensiveframework,policiesandmeasuresfortheprotection

ofandassistancetoallvictimsofviolenceagainstwomenanddomesticviolence;

d promote international cooperation with a view to eliminating violence

againstwomenanddomesticviolence;

e providesupportandassistancetoorganisationsandlawenforcementagencies

toeffectivelycooperateinordertoadoptanintegratedapproachtoeliminating

violenceagainstwomenanddomesticviolence.

2 In order to ensure effective implementation of its provisions by the Parties, this

Conventionestablishesaspecificmonitoringmechanism.

Article2ScopeoftheConvention

1 This Convention shall apply to all forms of violence against women, including

domesticviolence,whichaffectswomendisproportionately.

2 Partiesareencouraged toapply thisConvention toallvictimsofdomesticviolence.

Parties shall pay particular attention to women victims of genderbased violence in

implementingtheprovisionsofthisConvention.

3 ThisConventionshallapplyintimesofpeaceandinsituationsofarmedconflict.

Article3Definitions

ForthepurposeofthisConvention:


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a violenceagainstwomenisunderstoodasaviolationofhumanrightsanda

formofdiscriminationagainstwomenandshallmeanallactsofgenderbased

violencethatresultin,orarelikelytoresultin,physical,sexual,psychologicalor

economicharmorsufferingtowomen,includingthreatsofsuchacts,coercionor

arbitrarydeprivationofliberty,whetheroccurringinpublicorinprivatelife;

b domesticviolence shallmeanallactsofphysical, sexual,psychologicalor

economic violence that occur within the family or domestic unit orbetween

formerorcurrentspousesorpartners,whetherornot theperpetratorsharesor

hassharedthesameresidencewiththevictim;

c gendershallmean thesociallyconstructedroles,behaviours,activitiesand

attributesthatagivensocietyconsidersappropriateforwomenandmen;

d genderbasedviolenceagainstwomenshallmeanviolence that isdirected

against a woman because she is a woman or that affects women

disproportionately;

e victimshallmeananynaturalpersonwhoissubjecttotheconductspecified

inpointsaandb;

f womenincludesgirlsundertheageof18.

Article4Fundamentalrights,equalityandnondiscrimination

1 Partiesshalltakethenecessarylegislativeandothermeasurestopromoteandprotect

therightforeveryone,particularlywomen,to livefreefromviolenceinboththepublic

andtheprivatesphere.

2 Partiescondemnallformsofdiscriminationagainstwomenandtake,withoutdelay,

thenecessarylegislativeandothermeasurestopreventit,inparticularby:

embodyingintheirnationalconstitutionsorotherappropriatelegislationtheprinciple of equalitybetweenwomen andmen and ensuring the practical

realisationofthisprinciple;

prohibiting discrimination against women, including through the use ofsanctions,whereappropriate;

abolishinglawsandpracticeswhichdiscriminateagainstwomen.3The

implementation

of

the

provisions

of

this

Convention

by

the

Parties,

in

particular

measurestoprotecttherightsofvictims,shallbesecuredwithoutdiscriminationonany

ground suchas sex,gender, race,colour, language, religion,politicalorotheropinion,

national or social origin, association with a national minority, property,birth, sexual

orientation, gender identity, age, state of health, disability,marital status, migrant or

refugeestatus,orotherstatus.


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4 Specialmeasuresthatarenecessarytopreventandprotectwomenfromgenderbased

violenceshallnotbeconsidereddiscriminationunderthetermsofthisConvention.

Article5Stateobligationsandduediligence

1Parties

shall

refrain

from

engaging

in

any

act

of

violence

against

women

and

ensure

thatStateauthorities,officials,agents,institutionsandotheractorsactingonbehalfofthe

Stateactinconformitywiththisobligation.

2 Parties shall take the necessary legislative and other measures to exercise due

diligence to prevent, investigate, punish and provide reparation for acts of violence

coveredbythescopeofthisConventionthatareperpetratedbynonStateactors.

Article6Gendersensitivepolicies

Parties shall undertake to include a gender perspective in the implementation and

evaluationof

the

impact

of

the

provisions

of

this

Convention

and

to

promote

and

effectively implement policies of equality between women and men and the

empowermentofwomen.

ChapterIIIntegratedpoliciesanddata

collection

Article7Comprehensiveandcoordinatedpolicies

1 Partiesshalltakethenecessarylegislativeandothermeasurestoadoptandimplement

Statewideeffective,comprehensiveandcoordinatedpoliciesencompassingallrelevant

measures to prevent and combat all forms of violence coveredby the scope of this

Conventionandofferaholisticresponsetoviolenceagainstwomen.

2 Parties shall ensure that policies referred to in paragraph 1 place the rights of the

victimatthecentreofallmeasuresandareimplementedbywayofeffectivecooperation

amongallrelevantagencies,institutionsandorganisations.

3 Measurestakenpursuanttothisarticleshall involve,whereappropriate,allrelevant

actors, such as government agencies, thenational, regional and local parliaments and

authorities,nationalhumanrightsinstitutionsandcivilsocietyorganisations.


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Article8Financialresources

Parties shall allocate appropriate financial and human resources for the adequate

implementationofintegratedpolicies,measuresandprogrammestopreventandcombat

allformsofviolencecoveredbythescopeofthisConvention,includingthosecarriedout

bynon

governmental

organisations

and

civil

society.

Article9Nongovernmentalorganisationsandcivilsociety

Parties shall recognise,encourageand support,atall levels, theworkof relevantnon

governmental organisations and of civil society active in combating violence against

womenandestablisheffectivecooperationwiththeseorganisations.

Article10Coordinatingbody

1 Partiesshalldesignateorestablishoneormoreofficialbodiesresponsiblefortheco

ordination,implementation,

monitoring

and

evaluation

of

policies

and

measures

to

preventandcombatallformsofviolencecoveredbythisConvention.Thesebodiesshall

coordinatethecollectionofdataasreferredtoinArticle11,analyseanddisseminateits

results.

2 Partiesshallensure that thebodiesdesignatedorestablishedpursuant to thisarticle

receiveinformationofageneralnatureonmeasurestakenpursuanttoChapterVIII.

3 Partiesshallensure that thebodiesdesignatedorestablishedpursuant to thisarticle

shall have the capacity to communicate directly and foster relations with their

counterpartsinotherParties.

Article11Datacollectionandresearch

1 Forthepurposeoftheimplementation ofthisConvention,Partiesshallundertaketo:

a collectdisaggregatedrelevant statisticaldataat regular intervalsoncasesof

allformsofviolencecoveredbythescopeofthisConvention;

b supportresearch inthefieldofallformsofviolencecoveredby thescopeof

this Convention in order to study its root causes and effects, incidences and

conviction rates, as well as the efficacy of measures taken to implement this

Convention.

2 Parties shall endeavour to conductpopulationbased surveys at regular intervals to

assesstheprevalenceofandtrendsinallformsofviolencecoveredbythescopeofthis

Convention.


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3 Parties shall provide the group of experts, as referred to in Article 66 of this

Convention,withtheinformationcollectedpursuanttothisarticleinordertostimulate

internationalcooperationandenableinternationalbenchmarking.

4 Partiesshallensurethatthe informationcollectedpursuanttothisarticle isavailable

to

the

public.

ChapterIIIPrevention

Article12Generalobligations

1 Partiesshalltakethenecessarymeasurestopromotechangesinthesocialandcultural

patternsofbehaviourofwomenandmenwithaviewtoeradicatingprejudices,customs,

traditionsandallotherpracticeswhicharebasedontheideaoftheinferiorityofwomen

oronstereotypedrolesforwomenandmen.

2 Partiesshalltakethenecessarylegislativeandothermeasurestopreventallformsof

violencecoveredbythescopeofthisConventionbyanynaturalorlegalperson.

3 Anymeasurestakenpursuanttothischaptershalltakeintoaccountandaddressthe

specificneedsofpersonsmadevulnerablebyparticularcircumstancesandshallplacethehumanrightsofallvictimsattheircentre.

4 Parties shall take the necessary measures to encourage all members of society,

especially men and boys, to contribute actively to preventing all forms of violence

coveredbythescopeofthisConvention.

5 Partiesshallensurethatculture,custom,religion,traditionorsocalledhonourshall

notbe consideredasjustification foranyactsofviolence coveredby the scopeof this

Convention.

6Parties

shall

take

the

necessary

measures

to

promote

programmes

and

activities

for

theempowermentofwomen.

Article13Awarenessraising

1 Partiesshallpromoteorconduct,onaregularbasisandatalllevels,awarenessraising

campaigns or programmes, including in cooperation with national human rights

institutions and equality bodies, civil society and nongovernmental organisations,


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especially womens organisations, where appropriate, to increase awareness and

understandingamong thegeneralpublicof thedifferentmanifestationsofall formsof

violencecoveredbythescopeofthisConvention,theirconsequencesonchildrenandthe

needtopreventsuchviolence.

2

Parties

shall

ensure

the

wide

dissemination

among

the

general

public

of

information

on measures available to prevent acts of violence covered by the scope of this

Convention.

Article14Education

1 Partiesshalltake,whereappropriate,thenecessarystepstoincludeteachingmaterial

on issues such as equality between women and men, nonstereotyped gender roles,

mutual respect, nonviolent conflict resolution in interpersonal relationships, gender

based violence against women and the right to personal integrity, adapted to the

evolvingcapacityoflearners,informalcurriculaandatalllevelsofeducation.

2 Parties shall take the necessary steps to promote the principles referred to in

paragraph1 in informaleducational facilities,aswellas in sports,culturaland leisure

facilitiesandthemedia.

Article15Trainingofprofessionals

1 Partiesshallprovideorstrengthenappropriatetrainingfortherelevantprofessionals

dealingwithvictimsorperpetratorsofallactsofviolencecoveredby thescopeof this

Convention,onthepreventionanddetectionofsuchviolence,equalitybetweenwomen

and men, the needs and rights of victims, as well as on how to prevent secondary

victimisation.

2 Partiesshallencourage that the trainingreferred to inparagraph1 includes training

oncoordinatedmultiagencycooperationtoallowforacomprehensiveandappropriate

handlingofreferralsincasesofviolencecoveredbythescopeofthisConvention.

Article16Preventiveinterventionandtreatmentprogrammes

1 Parties shall take the necessary legislative or other measures to set up or support

programmesaimedat teachingperpetratorsofdomesticviolence toadoptnonviolent

behaviourininterpersonalrelationshipswithaviewtopreventingfurtherviolenceand

changingviolentbehaviouralpatterns.

2 Parties shall take the necessary legislative or other measures to set up or support

treatment programmes aimed at preventing perpetrators, in particular sex offenders,

fromreoffending.

3 Intakingthemeasuresreferredtoinparagraphs1and2,Partiesshallensurethatthe

safetyof,supportforandthehumanrightsofvictimsareofprimaryconcernandthat,


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whereappropriate,theseprogrammesaresetupandimplementedinclosecoordination

withspecialistsupportservicesforvictims.

Article17Participationoftheprivatesectorandthemedia

1Parties

shall

encourage

the

private

sector,

the

information

and

communication

technologysectorand themedia,withduerespect for freedomofexpressionand their

independence,toparticipateintheelaborationandimplementation ofpoliciesandtoset

guidelines and selfregulatory standards to prevent violence against women and to

enhancerespectfortheirdignity.

2 Parties shalldevelop andpromote, in cooperationwithprivate sector actors, skills

among children, parents and educators on how to deal with the information and

communicationsenvironment thatprovidesaccess todegrading contentofa sexualor

violentnaturewhichmightbeharmful.

ChapterIVProtectionandsupport


1

Parties

shall

take

the

necessary

legislative

or

other

measures

to

protect

all

victims

from

anyfurtheractsofviolence.

2 Parties shall take the necessary legislative or other measures, in accordance with

internallaw,toensurethatthereareappropriatemechanismstoprovideforeffectiveco

operationbetweenallrelevantstateagencies,includingthejudiciary,publicprosecutors,

law enforcement agencies, local and regional authorities aswell as nongovernmental

organisationsandotherrelevantorganisationsandentities,inprotectingandsupporting

victimsandwitnessesofallformsofviolencecoveredbythescopeof thisConvention,

includingbyreferringtogeneralandspecialistsupportservicesasdetailedinArticles20

and22ofthisConvention.

3Parties

shall

ensure

that

measures

taken

pursuant

to

this

chapter

shall:

bebasedonagenderedunderstandingofviolenceagainstwomenand

domesticviolenceandshallfocusonthehumanrightsandsafetyofthevictim;

bebasedonanintegratedapproachwhichtakesintoaccounttherelationship

betweenvictims,perpetrators,childrenandtheirwidersocialenvironment;

aimatavoidingsecondaryvictimisation;

aimattheempowermentandeconomicindependenceofwomenvictimsof


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violence;

allow,whereappropriate,forarangeofprotectionandsupportservicestobe

locatedonthesamepremises;

addressthespecificneedsofvulnerablepersons,includingchildvictims,andbe

madeavailabletothem.

4 Theprovisionofservicesshallnotdependonthevictimswillingnesstopresscharges

ortestifyagainstanyperpetrator.

5 Partiesshall take theappropriatemeasures toprovideconsularandotherprotection

andsupporttotheirnationalsandothervictimsentitledtosuchprotectioninaccordance

withtheirobligationsunderinternationallaw.

Article19Information

Parties shall take the necessary legislative or other measures to ensure that victims

receive

adequate

and

timely

information

on

available

support

services

and

legal

measuresinalanguagetheyunderstand.

Article20Generalsupportservices

1 Parties shall take thenecessary legislativeorothermeasures to ensure thatvictims

haveaccess toservicesfacilitating theirrecovery fromviolence.Thesemeasuresshould

include,whennecessary,servicessuchas legalandpsychologicalcounselling, financial

assistance,housing,education,trainingandassistanceinfindingemployment.

2 Parties shall take thenecessary legislative orothermeasures to ensure thatvictims

have

access

to

health

care

and

social

services

and

that

services

are

adequately

resourced

andprofessionalsaretrainedtoassistvictimsandreferthemtotheappropriateservices.

Article21Assistanceinindividual/collectivecomplaints

Parties shallensure thatvictimshave informationonandaccess toapplicable regional

andinternationalindividual/collectivecomplaintsmechanisms.Partiesshallpromotethe

provisionof sensitiveandknowledgeable assistance tovictims inpresentingany such

complaints.

Article22Specialistsupportservices

1 Partiesshalltakethenecessarylegislativeorothermeasurestoprovideorarrangefor,

in an adequate geographical distribution, immediate, short and longterm specialist

support services to anyvictim subjected to anyof the actsofviolence coveredby the

scopeofthisConvention.

2 Partiesshallprovideorarrangeforspecialistwomenssupportservicestoallwomen

victimsofviolenceandtheirchildren.


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Article23Shelters

Partiesshalltakethenecessarylegislativeorothermeasurestoprovideforthesettingup

of appropriate, easily accessible shelters in sufficient numbers to provide safe

accommodationforandtoreachoutproactivelytovictims,especiallywomenandtheir

children.

Article24Telephonehelplines

Partiesshalltakethenecessarylegislativeorothermeasurestosetupstatewideround

theclock (24/7) telephone helplines free of charge to provide advice to callers,

confidentiallyorwithdueregardfortheiranonymity,inrelationtoallformsofviolence

coveredbythescopeofthisConvention.

Article25Supportforvictimsofsexualviolence

Partiesshall

take

the

necessary

legislative

or

other

measures

to

provide

for

the

setting

up

ofappropriate,easilyaccessiblerapecrisisorsexualviolencereferralcentresforvictims

insufficientnumbers toprovide formedicaland forensicexamination, traumasupport

andcounsellingforvictims.

Article26Protectionandsupportforchildwitnesses

1 Parties shall take the necessary legislative or othermeasures to ensure that in the

provisionofprotectionandsupportservicestovictims,dueaccountistakenoftherights

and needs of child witnesses of all forms of violence covered by the scope of this

Convention.

2 Measures taken pursuant to this article shall include ageappropriate psychosocial

counselling for child witnesses of all forms of violence coveredby the scope of this

Conventionandshallgivedueregardtothebestinterestsofthechild.

Article27Reporting

Parties shall take the necessary measures to encourage any person witness to the

commission of acts of violence coveredby the scope of this Convention or who has

reasonablegroundstobelievethatsuchanactmaybecommitted,orthatfurtheractsof

violencearetobeexpected,toreportthistothecompetentorganisationsorauthorities.

Article28Reportingbyprofessionals

Partiesshalltakethenecessarymeasurestoensurethattheconfidentialityrulesimposed

by internal lawoncertainprofessionalsdonotconstituteanobstacle to thepossibility,

under appropriate conditions, of their reporting to the competent organisations or

authorities if they have reasonable grounds tobelieve that a serious act of violence


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coveredbythescopeofthisConvention,hasbeencommittedandfurtherseriousactsof

violencearetobeexpected.

ChapterV

Substantive

law

Article29Civillawsuitsandremedies

1 Partiesshall takethenecessary legislativeorothermeasurestoprovidevictimswith

adequatecivilremediesagainsttheperpetrator.

2

Parties

shall

take

the

necessary

legislative

or

other

measures

to

provide

victims,

in

accordancewiththegeneralprinciplesofinternationallaw,withadequatecivilremedies

againstStateauthoritiesthathavefailedintheirdutytotakethenecessarypreventiveor

protectivemeasureswithinthescopeoftheirpowers.

Article30Compensation

1 Parties shall take thenecessary legislativeorothermeasures to ensure thatvictims

have the right to claim compensation from perpetrators for any of the offences

establishedinaccordancewiththisConvention.

2

Adequate

State

compensation

shall

be

awarded

to

those

who

have

sustained

serious

bodily injuryor impairmentofhealth, to theextent that thedamage isnotcoveredby

other sources such as the perpetrator, insurance or Statefunded health and social

provisions. This does not preclude Parties from claiming regress for compensation

awardedfromtheperpetrator,aslongasdueregardispaidtothevictimssafety.

3 Measures takenpursuant toparagraph2 shallensure thegrantingofcompensation

withinareasonabletime.

Article31Custody,visitationrightsandsafety

1

Parties

shall

take

the

necessary

legislative

or

other

measures

to

ensure

that,

in

the

determinationofcustodyandvisitationrightsofchildren,incidentsofviolencecovered

bythescopeofthisConventionaretakenintoaccount.

2 Partiesshalltakethenecessarylegislativeorothermeasurestoensurethattheexercise

ofanyvisitationorcustodyrightsdoesnotjeopardisetherightsandsafetyofthevictim

orchildren.


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Article32Civilconsequencesofforcedmarriages

Parties shall take thenecessary legislative or othermeasures to ensure thatmarriages

concludedunderforcemaybevoidable,annulledordissolvedwithoutunduefinancial

oradministrativeburdenplacedonthevictim.

Article33Psychologicalviolence

Partiesshalltakethenecessarylegislativeorothermeasurestoensurethattheintentional

conduct of seriously impairing a persons psychological integrity through coercion or

threatsiscriminalised.

Article34Stalking


conduct of repeatedly engaging in threatening conduct directed at another person,

causingher

or

him

to

fear

for

her

or

his

safety,

is

criminalised.

Article35Physicalviolence


conductofcommittingactsofphysicalviolenceagainstanotherpersoniscriminalised.

Article36Sexualviolence,includingrape

1 Parties shall take the necessary legislative or other measures to ensure that the

followingintentionalconductsarecriminalised:

a engaging in nonconsensual vaginal, anal or oral penetration of a sexual

nature of the body of another person with any bodily part or object;

b engaging in other nonconsensual acts of a sexual nature with a person;

c causinganotherperson to engage innonconsensualactsofa sexualnature

withathirdperson.

2 Consentmustbegivenvoluntarilyastheresultofthepersonsfreewillassessedinthe

contextofthesurroundingcircumstances.


provisionsof

paragraph

1also

apply

to

acts

committed

against

former

or

current

spouses

orpartnersasrecognisedbyinternallaw.

Article37Forcedmarriage


intentionalconductofforcinganadultorachildtoenterintoamarriageiscriminalised.


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18


intentionalconductofluringanadultorachildtotheterritoryofaPartyorStateother

thantheonesheorheresidesinwiththepurposeofforcingthisadultorchildtoenter

intoamarriageiscriminalised.

Article

38

Female

genital

mutilation

Partiesshalltakethenecessarylegislativeorothermeasurestoensurethatthefollowing

intentionalconductsarecriminalised:

a excising,infibulatingorperforminganyothermutilationtothewholeorany

part of a womans labia majora, labia minora or clitoris;

b coercingorprocuringawoman toundergoanyof theacts listed inpointa;

c inciting,coercingorprocuringagirltoundergoanyoftheactslistedinpoint

a.

Article

39

Forced

abortion

and

forced

sterilisation


intentionalconductsarecriminalised:

a performinganabortiononawomanwithoutherpriorandinformedconsent;

b performingsurgerywhichhasthepurposeoreffectofterminatingawomans

capacity to naturally reproduce without her prior and informed consent or

understandingoftheprocedure.

Article

40

Sexual

harassment

Partiesshalltakethenecessary legislativeorothermeasurestoensure thatanyformof

unwantedverbal,nonverbalorphysicalconductofasexualnaturewiththepurposeor

effectofviolating thedignityofaperson, inparticularwhencreatingan intimidating,

hostile,degrading,humiliatingoroffensiveenvironment, issubjecttocriminalorother

legalsanction.

Article41Aidingorabettingandattempt

1 Partiesshalltakethenecessarylegislativeorothermeasurestoestablishasanoffence,

whencommitted

intentionally,

aiding

or

abetting

the

commission

of

the

offences

establishedinaccordancewithArticles33,34,35,36,37,38.aand39ofthisConvention.

2 Partiesshall take thenecessary legislativeorothermeasures toestablishasoffences,

whencommittedintentionally,attemptstocommittheoffencesestablishedinaccordance

withArticles35,36,37,38.aand39ofthisConvention.


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Article 42 Unacceptable justifications for crimes, including crimes

committedinthenameofsocalledhonour

1 Partiesshalltakethenecessarylegislativeorothermeasurestoensurethat,incriminal

proceedingsinitiatedfollowingthecommissionofanyoftheactsofviolencecoveredby

thescope

of

this

Convention,

culture,

custom,

religion,

tradition

or

so

called

honour

shallnotberegardedasjustificationforsuchacts.Thiscovers,inparticular,claimsthat

thevictimhastransgressedcultural,religious,socialortraditionalnormsorcustomsof

appropriatebehaviour.

2 Partiesshalltakethenecessarylegislativeorothermeasurestoensurethatincitement

byanypersonofachild tocommitanyof theactsreferred to inparagraph1shallnot

diminishthecriminalliabilityofthatpersonfortheactscommitted.

Article43Applicationofcriminaloffences

Theoffences

established

in

accordance

with

this

Convention

shall

apply

irrespective

of

thenatureoftherelationshipbetweenvictimandperpetrator.

Article44Jurisdiction

1 Partiesshall take thenecessary legislativeorothermeasures toestablishjurisdiction

over any offence established in accordancewith thisConvention,when the offence is

committed:

a intheirterritory;or

b onboardashipflyingtheirflag;or

con

board

an

aircraft

registered

under

their

laws;

or

d byoneoftheirnationals;or

e byapersonwhohasherorhishabitualresidenceintheirterritory.

2 Partiesshallendeavourtotakethenecessarylegislativeorothermeasurestoestablish

jurisdictionoveranyoffenceestablished inaccordancewith thisConventionwhere the

offence is committed against one of their nationals or a person who has her or his

habitualresidenceintheirterritory.

3 For theprosecutionoftheoffencesestablished inaccordancewithArticles36,37,38

and39ofthisConvention,Partiesshalltakethenecessarylegislativeorothermeasures

to

ensure

that

their

jurisdiction

is

not

subordinated

to

the

condition

that

the

acts

are

criminalisedintheterritorywheretheywerecommitted.

4 For theprosecutionof theoffencesestablished inaccordancewithArticles36,37,38

and39ofthisConvention,Partiesshalltakethenecessarylegislativeorothermeasures

to ensure that their jurisdiction as regards points d and e of paragraph 1 is not

subordinated to the condition that theprosecution can onlybe initiated following the


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reportingby thevictim of theoffenceor the layingof informationby theStateof the

placewheretheoffencewascommitted.

5 Partiesshall take thenecessary legislativeorothermeasures toestablishjurisdiction

over the offences established in accordance with this Convention, in cases where an

alleged

perpetrator

is

present

on

their

territory

and

they

do

not

extradite

her

or

him

to

anotherParty,solelyonthebasisofherorhisnationality.

6 Whenmore thanonePartyclaimsjurisdictionoveranallegedoffenceestablished in

accordancewith thisConvention,theParties involvedshall,whereappropriate,consult

eachotherwithaviewtodeterminingthemostappropriatejurisdictionforprosecution.

7 Withoutprejudicetothegeneralrulesof international law,thisConventiondoesnot

excludeanycriminaljurisdictionexercisedbyaPartyinaccordancewithitsinternallaw.

Article45Sanctionsandmeasures


offences established in accordance with this Convention are punishableby effective,

proportionate and dissuasive sanctions, taking into account their seriousness. These

sanctionsshallinclude,whereappropriate,sentencesinvolvingthedeprivationofliberty

whichcangiverisetoextradition.

2 Partiesmayadoptothermeasuresinrelationtoperpetrators,suchas:

monitoringorsupervisionofconvictedpersons; withdrawalofparental rights, if thebest interestsof the child,whichmay

includethesafetyofthevictim,cannotbeguaranteedinanyotherway.

Article46Aggravatingcircumstances


circumstances,insofarastheydonotalreadyformpartoftheconstituentelementsofthe

offence,may, inconformitywith the relevantprovisionsof internal law,be taken into

consideration as aggravating circumstances in the determination of the sentence in

relationtotheoffencesestablishedinaccordancewiththisConvention:

a theoffencewascommittedagainsta formerorcurrentspouseorpartneras

recognisedbyinternallaw,byamemberofthefamily,apersoncohabitingwith

thevictim

or

aperson

having

abused

her

or

his

authority;

b theoffence,orrelatedoffences,werecommittedrepeatedly;

c the offencewas committed against a personmade vulnerableby particular

circumstances;

d theoffencewascommittedagainstorinthepresenceofachild;


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e theoffencewascommittedbytwoormorepeopleactingtogether;

f theoffencewasprecededoraccompaniedbyextremelevelsofviolence;

g theoffencewascommittedwiththeuseorthreatofaweapon;

h theoffenceresultedinseverephysicalorpsychologicalharmforthevictim;

i theperpetratorhadpreviouslybeenconvictedofoffencesofasimilarnature.

Article47SentencespassedbyanotherParty

Partiesshalltakethenecessarylegislativeorothermeasurestoprovideforthepossibility

oftakingintoaccountfinalsentencespassedbyanotherPartyinrelationtotheoffences

establishedin

accordance

with

this

Convention

when

determining

the

sentence.

Article 48 Prohibition of mandatory alternative dispute resolution

processesorsentencing

1 Parties shall take thenecessary legislativeorothermeasures toprohibitmandatory

alternativedisputeresolutionprocesses,includingmediationandconciliation,inrelation

toallformsofviolencecoveredbythescopeofthisConvention.

2 Parties shall take the necessary legislative or other measures to ensure that if the

paymentofafineisordered,dueaccountshallbetakenoftheabilityoftheperpetrator

toassume

his

or

her

financial

obligations

towards

the

victim.

ChapterVIInvestigation,prosecution,

procedurallawandprotectivemeasures


1 Parties shall take the necessary legislative or other measures to ensure that

investigationsandjudicialproceedingsinrelationtoallformsofviolencecoveredbythe

scope of this Convention are carried out without undue delay while taking into

considerationtherightsofthevictimduringallstagesofthecriminalproceedings.


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2 Partiesshall take thenecessary legislativeorothermeasures, inconformitywith the

fundamental principles of human rights and having regard to the gendered

understanding of violence, to ensure the effective investigation and prosecution of

offencesestablishedinaccordancewiththisConvention.

Article

50

Immediate

response,

prevention

and

protection


responsible law enforcement agencies respond to all formsofviolence coveredby the

scope of this Convention promptly and appropriately by offering adequate and

immediateprotectiontovictims.


responsible law enforcement agencies engage promptly and appropriately in the

prevention and protection against all forms of violence coveredby the scope of this

Convention, including the employment of preventive operational measures and the

collectionofevidence.

Article51Riskassessmentandriskmanagement

1 Parties shall take the necessary legislative or other measures to ensure that an

assessmentofthe lethalityrisk,theseriousnessofthesituationandtheriskofrepeated

violence is carried outby all relevant authorities in order to manage the risk and if

necessarytoprovidecoordinatedsafetyandsupport.


assessment referred to in paragraph 1 duly takes into account, at all stages of the

investigationandapplicationofprotectivemeasures,thefactthatperpetratorsofactsof

violencecoveredbythescopeofthisConventionpossessorhaveaccesstofirearms.

Article52Emergencybarringorders

Partiesshalltakethenecessarylegislativeorothermeasurestoensurethatthecompetent

authorities are granted the power to order, in situations of immediate danger, a

perpetratorofdomesticviolencetovacatetheresidenceofthevictimorpersonatriskfor

asufficientperiodoftimeandtoprohibittheperpetratorfromenteringtheresidenceof

orcontacting thevictimorpersonatrisk.Measures takenpursuant to thisarticleshall

giveprioritytothesafetyofvictimsorpersonsatrisk.

Article53Restrainingorprotectionorders

1 Parties shall take the necessary legislative or other measures to ensure that

appropriate restraining or protection orders are available to victims of all forms of

violencecoveredbythescopeofthisConvention.


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23


restrainingorprotectionordersreferredtoinparagraph1are:

available for immediate protection and without undue financial oradministrativeburdensplacedonthevictim;

issued

for

a

specified

period

or

until

modified

or

discharged;

wherenecessary,issuedonanexpartebasiswhichhasimmediateeffect; availableirrespectiveof,orinadditionto,otherlegalproceedings; allowedtobeintroducedinsubsequentlegalproceedings.

3 Partiesshalltakethenecessarylegislativeorothermeasurestoensurethatbreachesof

restraining or protection orders issued pursuant to paragraph 1 shall be subject to

effective,proportionateanddissuasivecriminalorotherlegalsanctions.

Article54Investigationsandevidence

Parties

shall

take

the

necessary

legislative

or

other

measures

to

ensure

that,

in

any

civil

or

criminalproceedings,evidencerelating to thesexualhistoryandconductof thevictim

shallbepermittedonlywhenitisrelevantandnecessary.

Article55Exparteandexofficioproceedings1 Partiesshallensure that investigations intoorprosecutionofoffencesestablished in

accordancewithArticles 35, 36, 37, 38 and 39 of thisConvention shallnotbewholly

dependantuponareportorcomplaintfiledbyavictimiftheoffencewascommittedin

wholeorinpartonitsterritory,andthattheproceedingsmaycontinueevenifthevictim

withdrawsherorhisstatementorcomplaint.

2 Partiesshalltakethenecessarylegislativeorothermeasurestoensure,inaccordance

with theconditionsprovided forby their internal law, thepossibility forgovernmental

andnongovernmentalorganisationsanddomesticviolencecounsellorstoassistand/or

support victims, at their request, during investigations and judicial proceedings

concerningtheoffencesestablishedinaccordancewiththisConvention.

Article56Measuresofprotection

1 Partiesshalltakethenecessarylegislativeorothermeasurestoprotecttherightsand

interests of victims, including their special needs as witnesses, at all stages of

investigationsandjudicialproceedings,inparticularby:

a providingfortheirprotection,aswellasthatoftheirfamiliesandwitnesses,

fromintimidation,retaliationandrepeatvictimisation;

b ensuringthatvictimsareinformed,atleastincaseswherethevictimsandthe

family might be in danger, when the perpetrator escapes or is released

temporarilyordefinitively;


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24

c informing them,under the conditionsprovided forby internal law,of their

rights and the services at their disposal and the followup given to their

complaint,thecharges,thegeneralprogressoftheinvestigationorproceedings,

andtheirroletherein,aswellastheoutcomeoftheircase;

d

enabling

victims,

in

a

manner

consistent

with

the

procedural

rules

of

internal

law, tobeheard, tosupplyevidenceandhave theirviews,needsandconcerns

presented,directlyorthroughanintermediary,andconsidered;

e providingvictimswithappropriate support services so that their rightsand

interestsaredulypresentedandtakenintoaccount;

f ensuringthatmeasuresmaybeadoptedtoprotecttheprivacyandtheimage

ofthevictim;

g ensuringthatcontactbetweenvictimsandperpetratorswithincourtandlaw

enforcementagencypremisesisavoidedwherepossible;

h providingvictimswithindependentandcompetentinterpreterswhenvictims

arepartiestoproceedingsorwhentheyaresupplyingevidence;

i enablingvictims to testify, according to the rulesprovidedby their internal

law, inthecourtroomwithoutbeingpresentorat leastwithout thepresenceof

theallegedperpetrator,notably through theuseofappropriatecommunication

technologies,whereavailable.

2 A childvictimand childwitnessofviolenceagainstwomen anddomesticviolence

shallbeafforded,whereappropriate,specialprotectionmeasurestakingintoaccountthe

bestinterests

of

the

child.

Article57Legalaid

Parties shall provide for the right to legal assistance and to free legal aid for victims

undertheconditionsprovidedbytheirinternallaw.

Article58Statuteoflimitation

Partiesshalltakethenecessary legislativeandothermeasurestoensurethatthestatute

of limitationfor initiatingany legalproceedingswithregardtotheoffencesestablished

inaccordance

with

Articles

36,

37,

38

and

39

of

this

Convention,

shall

continue

for

a

period of time that is sufficient and commensuratewith the gravity of the offence in

question,toallowfortheefficient initiationofproceedingsafterthevictimhasreached

theageofmajority.


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ChapterVIIMigrationandasylum

Article59Residencestatus

1Parties

shall

take

the

necessary

legislative

or

other

measures

to

ensure

that

victims

whose residence status depends on that of the spouse or partner as recognised by

internal law, in the event of the dissolution of the marriage or the relationship, are

granted in the event of particularly difficult circumstances, upon application, an

autonomous residence permit irrespective of the duration of the marriage or the

relationship.The conditions relating to the granting andduration of the autonomous

residencepermitareestablishedbyinternallaw.

2 Parties shall take thenecessary legislative or othermeasures to ensure thatvictims

mayobtain thesuspensionofexpulsionproceedings initiated inrelation toaresidence

statusdependentonthatofthespouseorpartnerasrecognisedbyinternallawtoenable

themtoapplyforanautonomousresidencepermit.

3 Partiesshallissuearenewableresidencepermittovictimsinoneofthetwofollowing

situations,orinboth:

a wherethecompetentauthorityconsidersthattheirstayisnecessaryowingto

theirpersonalsituation;

b where the competentauthority considers that their stay isnecessary for the

purposeoftheircooperationwiththecompetentauthoritiesin investigationor

criminalproceedings.

4Parties

shall

take

the

necessary

legislative

or

other

measures

to

ensure

that

victims

of

forcedmarriagebroughtintoanothercountryforthepurposeofthemarriageandwho,

asaresult,have lost theirresidencestatus in thecountrywhere theyhabituallyreside,

mayregainthisstatus.

Article60Genderbasedasylumclaims

1 Parties shall take thenecessary legislativeorothermeasures toensure thatgender

basedviolenceagainstwomenmaybe recognisedasa formofpersecutionwithin the

meaningofArticle1,A(2),ofthe1951ConventionrelatingtotheStatusofRefugeesand

asaformofseriousharmgivingrisetocomplementary/subsidiaryprotection.

2 Parties shall ensure that a gendersensitive interpretation is given to each of the

Conventiongroundsandthatwhereitisestablishedthatthepersecutionfearedisforone

ormore of these grounds, applicants shallbe granted refugee status according to the

applicablerelevantinstruments.

3 Parties shall take the necessary legislative or other measures to develop gender

sensitivereceptionproceduresandsupportservicesforasylumseekersaswellasgender


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guidelines and gendersensitive asylum procedures, including refugee status

determinationandapplicationforinternationalprotection.

Article61Nonrefoulement

1Parties

shall

take

the

necessary

legislative

or

other

measures

to

respect

the

principle

of

nonrefoulementinaccordancewithexistingobligationsunderinternationallaw.

2 Partiesshalltakethenecessarylegislativeorothermeasurestoensurethatvictimsof

violence against women who are in need of protection, regardless of their status or

residence,shallnotbereturnedunderanycircumstancestoanycountrywheretheirlife

wouldbeatriskorwhere theymightbesubjected to tortureor inhumanordegrading

treatmentorpunishment.

ChapterVIIIInternationalcooperation

Article62Generalprinciples

1 Parties shall cooperate with each other, in accordance with the provisions of this

Convention,

and

through

the

application

of

relevant

international

and

regional

instrumentsoncooperation incivilandcriminalmatters,arrangementsagreedon the

basisofuniformorreciprocallegislationandinternallaws,tothewidestextentpossible,

forthepurposeof:

a preventing,combatingandprosecutingallformsofviolencecoveredbythe

scopeofthisConvention;

b protectingandprovidingassistancetovictims;

c investigationsorproceedingsconcerningtheoffencesestablishedin

accordancewiththisConvention;

d enforcingrelevantcivilandcriminaljudgmentsissuedbythejudicial

authoritiesofParties,includingprotectionorders.

2 Partiesshalltakethenecessarylegislativeorothermeasurestoensurethatvictimsof

anoffenceestablishedinaccordancewiththisConventionandcommittedintheterritory

of a Party other than the one where they reside may make a complaintbefore the

competentauthoritiesoftheirStateofresidence.

3 If a Party that makes mutual legal assistance in criminal matters, extradition or

enforcementofcivilorcriminaljudgmentsimposedbyanotherPartytothisConvention


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conditionalontheexistenceofatreatyreceivesarequestforsuchlegalcooperationfrom

aPartywithwhichithasnotconcludedsuchatreaty,itmayconsiderthisConventionto

be the legal basis for mutual legal assistance in criminal matters, extradition or

enforcementofcivilorcriminaljudgments imposedbytheotherPartyinrespectofthe

offencesestablishedinaccordancewiththisConvention.

4 Partiesshallendeavourto integrate,whereappropriate,thepreventionand thefight

against violence against women and domestic violence in assistance programmes for

developmentprovidedforthebenefitofthirdStates,includingbyenteringintobilateral

andmultilateralagreementswiththirdStateswithaviewtofacilitatingtheprotectionof

victimsinaccordancewithArticle18,paragraph5.

Article63Measuresrelatingtopersonsatrisk

WhenaParty,onthebasisoftheinformationatitsdisposal,hasreasonablegroundsto

believethatapersonisatimmediateriskofbeingsubjectedtoanyoftheactsofviolence

referred to inArticles 36,37,38 and 39of thisConventionon the territoryofanother

Party,thePartythathastheinformationisencouragedtotransmititwithoutdelaytothe

latterforthepurposeofensuringthatappropriateprotectionmeasuresaretaken.Where

applicable,thisinformationshallincludedetailsonexistingprotectionprovisionsforthe

benefitofthepersonatrisk.

Article64Information

1 TherequestedPartyshallpromptly inform therequestingPartyof the finalresultof

theactiontakenunderthischapter.TherequestedPartyshallalsopromptlyinformthe

requestingPartyofanycircumstanceswhichrender impossible thecarryingoutof the

actionsoughtorarelikelytodelayitsignificantly.

2 APartymay,within the limitsof its internal law,withoutprior request, forward to

anotherPartyinformationobtainedwithintheframeworkofitsowninvestigationswhen

it considers that thedisclosureof such informationmightassist the receivingParty in

preventing criminal offences established in accordance with this Convention or in

initiatingorcarryingoutinvestigationsorproceedingsconcerningsuchcriminaloffences

orthatitmightleadtoarequestforcooperationbythatPartyunderthischapter.

3 APartyreceivinganyinformationinaccordancewithparagraph2shallsubmitsuch

information to itscompetentauthorities inorder thatproceedingsmaybetaken if they

are considered appropriate, or that this information may be taken into account in

relevantcivil

and

criminal

proceedings.

Article65DataProtection

Personaldata shallbe stored andusedpursuant to theobligationsundertakenby the

PartiesundertheConventionfortheProtectionofIndividualswithregardtoAutomatic

ProcessingofPersonalData(ETSNo.108).


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ChapterIXMonitoringmechanism

Article66Groupofexpertsonactionagainstviolenceagainstwomen

anddomesticviolence

1 TheGroupofexpertsonactionagainstviolenceagainstwomenanddomesticviolence

(hereinafter referred to as GREVIO) shall monitor the implementation of this

ConventionbytheParties.

2 GREVIO shallbe composed of aminimum of 10 members and a maximum of 15

members, taking into account a gender and geographical balance, as well as

multidisciplinaryexpertise.ItsmembersshallbeelectedbytheCommitteeoftheParties

fromamong

candidates

nominated

by

the

Parties

for

aterm

of

office

of

four

years,

renewableonce,andchosenfromamongnationalsoftheParties.

3 Theinitialelectionof10membersshallbeheldwithinaperiodofoneyearfollowing

theentryintoforceofthisConvention.Theelectionof5additionalmembersshallbeheld

followingthe25thratificationoraccession.

4 TheelectionofthemembersofGREVIOshallbebasedonthefollowingprinciples:

a they shall be chosen according to a transparent procedure from among

personsofhighmoralcharacter,known for theirrecognisedcompetence in the

fields

of

human

rights,

gender

equality,

violence

against

women

and

domestic

violence, or assistance to and protection of victims, or having demonstrated

professionalexperienceintheareascoveredbythisConvention;

b notwomembersofGREVIOmaybenationalsofthesameState;

c theyshouldrepresentthemainlegalsystems;

d they should represent relevant actors and agencies in the field of violence

againstwomenanddomesticviolence;

e they shall sit in their individual capacity and shall be independent and

impartialin

the

exercise

of

their

functions,

and

shall

be

available

to

carry

out

theirdutiesinaneffectivemanner.

5 The election procedure of the members of GREVIO shall be determined by the

CommitteeofMinistersoftheCouncilofEurope,afterconsultingwithandobtainingthe

unanimousconsentoftheParties,withinaperiodofsixmonthsfollowingtheentryinto

forceofthisConvention.


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6 GREVIOshalladoptitsownrulesofprocedure.

7 Members of GREVIO, and other members of delegations carrying out the country

visits as set forth in Article 68, paragraphs 9 and 14, shall enjoy the privileges and

immunitiesestablishedintheappendixtothisConvention.

Article67CommitteeoftheParties

1 TheCommitteeofthePartiesshallbecomposedoftherepresentativesofthePartiesto

theConvention.

2 The Committee of the Parties shall be convenedby the Secretary General of the

CouncilofEurope.Itsfirstmeetingshallbeheldwithinaperiodofoneyearfollowing

theentryintoforceofthisConventioninordertoelectthemembersofGREVIO.Itshall

subsequentlymeetwheneveronethirdoftheParties,thePresidentoftheCommitteeof

thePartiesortheSecretaryGeneralsorequests.

3 TheCommitteeofthePartiesshalladoptitsownrulesofprocedure.

Article68Procedure

1 Parties shall submit to the SecretaryGeneral of theCouncil ofEurope,based on a

questionnairepreparedbyGREVIO,a reporton legislativeandothermeasuresgiving

effecttotheprovisionsofthisConvention,forconsiderationbyGREVIO.

2 GREVIOshallconsiderthereportsubmittedinaccordancewithparagraph1withthe

representativesofthePartyconcerned.

3 Subsequentevaluationproceduresshallbedividedintorounds,thelengthofwhichis

determinedbyGREVIO.AtthebeginningofeachroundGREVIOshallselectthespecific

provisions on which the evaluation procedure shall be based and send out a

questionnaire.

4 GREVIOshalldefinetheappropriatemeanstocarryoutthismonitoringprocedure.It

mayinparticularadoptaquestionnaireforeachevaluationround,whichshallserveasa

basis for the evaluation procedure of the implementation by the Parties. This

questionnaireshallbeaddressedtoallParties.Partiesshallrespondtothisquestionnaire,

aswellastoanyotherrequestofinformationfromGREVIO.

5GREVIO

may

receive

information

on

the

implementation

of

the

Convention

from

non

governmentalorganisationsandcivilsociety,aswellasfromnationalinstitutionsforthe

protectionofhumanrights.

6 GREVIOshalltakedueconsiderationoftheexistinginformationavailablefromother

regionalandinternationalinstrumentsandbodiesinareasfallingwithinthescopeofthis

Convention.


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7 When adopting a questionnaire for each evaluation round,GREVIO shall takedue

considerationoftheexistingdatacollectionandresearch inthePartiesasreferredto in

Article11ofthisConvention.

8 GREVIOmayreceiveinformationontheimplementationoftheConventionfromthe

Council

of

Europe

Commissioner

for

Human

Rights,

the

Parliamentary

Assembly

and

relevantspecialisedbodiesof theCouncilofEurope,aswellasthoseestablishedunder

otherinternationalinstruments.Complaintspresentedtothesebodiesandtheiroutcome

willbemadeavailabletoGREVIO.

9 GREVIOmaysubsidiarilyorganise,incooperationwiththenationalauthoritiesand

with the assistance of independent national experts, country visits, if the information

gained is insufficient or in cases provided for in paragraph 14. During these visits,

GREVIOmaybeassistedbyspecialistsinspecificfields.

10 GREVIO shall prepare a draft report containing its analysis concerning the

implementation of the provisions on which the evaluation is based, as well as its

suggestionsand

proposals

concerning

the

way

in

which

the

Party

concerned

may

deal

withtheproblemswhichhavebeen identified.Thedraftreportshallbetransmittedfor

commentstothePartywhichundergoestheevaluation.Itscommentsshallbetakeninto

accountbyGREVIOwhenadoptingitsreport.

11 On the basis of all the information received and the comments by the Parties,

GREVIO shall adopt its report and conclusions concerning themeasures takenby the

Party concerned to implement the provisions of thisConvention.This report and the

conclusionsshallbesenttothePartyconcernedandtotheCommitteeoftheParties.The

reportandconclusionsofGREVIOshallbemadepublicasfromtheiradoption,together

witheventualcommentsbythePartyconcerned.

12 Withoutprejudicetotheprocedureofparagraphs1to8,theCommitteeoftheParties

may adopt, on thebasis of the report and conclusions ofGREVIO, recommendations

addressed to this Party (a) concerning the measures to be taken to implement the

conclusionsofGREVIO, ifnecessary settingadate for submitting informationon their

implementation,and(b)aimingatpromotingcooperationwiththatPartyfortheproper

implementationofthisConvention.

13 If GREVIO receives reliable information indicating a situation where problems

requireimmediateattentiontopreventorlimitthescaleornumberofseriousviolations

of theConvention, itmayrequest theurgentsubmissionofaspecialreportconcerning

measurestaken

to

prevent

aserious,

massive

or

persistent

pattern

of

violence

against

women.

14 TakingintoaccounttheinformationsubmittedbythePartyconcerned,aswellasany

other reliable information available to it, GREVIO may designate one or more of its

memberstoconductaninquiryandtoreporturgentlytoGREVIO.Wherewarrantedand

withtheconsentoftheParty,theinquirymayincludeavisittoitsterritory.


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15 After examining the findings of the inquiry referred to in paragraph 14,GREVIO

shall transmit these findings to the Party concerned and, where appropriate, to the

Committee of the Parties and the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe

togetherwithanycommentsandrecommendations.

Article

69

General

recommendations

GREVIO may adopt, where appropriate, general recommendations on the

implementationofthisConvention.

Article70Parliamentaryinvolvementinmonitoring

1 Nationalparliamentsshallbeinvitedtoparticipateinthemonitoringofthemeasures

takenfortheimplementationofthisConvention.

2 PartiesshallsubmitthereportsofGREVIOtotheirnationalparliaments.

3 TheParliamentaryAssembly of theCouncil ofEurope shallbe invited to regularly

takestockoftheimplementationofthisConvention.

ChapterXRelationshipwithother

international

instruments

Article71Relationshipwithotherinternationalinstruments

1 This Convention shall not affect obligations arising from other international

instrumentstowhichPartiesto thisConventionarePartiesorshallbecomePartiesand

whichcontainprovisionsonmattersgovernedbythisConvention.

2

The

Parties

to

this

Convention

may

conclude

bilateral

or

multilateral

agreements

with

oneanotheronthemattersdealtwithinthisConvention,forpurposesofsupplementing

orstrengtheningitsprovisionsorfacilitatingtheapplicationoftheprinciplesembodied

init.


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ChapterXIAmendmentstotheConvention

Article72Amendments

1Any

proposal

for

an

amendment

to

this

Convention

presented

by

aParty

shall

be

communicatedtotheSecretaryGeneraloftheCouncilofEuropeandforwardedbyher

or him to themember States of theCouncil ofEurope, any signatory, any Party, the

European Union, any State invited to sign this Convention in accordance with the

provisionsofArticle75,andanyStateinvitedtoaccedetothisConventioninaccordance

withtheprovisionsofArticle76.

2 TheCommittee ofMinisters of theCouncil of Europe shall consider the proposed

amendment and, after having consulted the Parties to this Convention that are not

membersoftheCouncilofEurope,mayadopttheamendmentbythemajorityprovided

forinArticle20.doftheStatuteoftheCouncilofEurope.

3 The text of any amendment adoptedby theCommittee ofMinisters in accordance

withparagraph2shallbeforwardedtothePartiesforacceptance.

4 Anyamendmentadoptedinaccordancewithparagraph2shallenterintoforceonthe

firstdayofthemonthfollowingtheexpirationofaperiodofonemonthafterthedateon

whichallPartieshaveinformedtheSecretaryGeneraloftheiracceptance.

ChapterXIIFinalclauses

Article73EffectsofthisConvention

TheprovisionsofthisConventionshallnotprejudicetheprovisionsofinternallawand

binding international instrumentswhich are already in force ormay come into force,

underwhichmorefavourablerightsareorwouldbeaccordedtopersonsinpreventing

andcombatingviolenceagainstwomenanddomesticviolence.

Article

74

Dispute

settlement

1 The Parties to any dispute which may arise concerning the application or

interpretationoftheprovisionsofthisConventionshallfirstseektoresolveitbymeans

ofnegotiation,conciliation,arbitrationorbyanyothermethodsofpeaceful settlement

acceptedbymutualagreementbetweenthem.


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2 TheCommittee ofMinisters of theCouncil ofEuropemay establish procedures of

settlementtobeavailableforusebythePartiesindisputeiftheyshouldsoagree.

Article75Signatureandentryintoforce

1This

Convention

shall

be

open

for

signature

by

the

member

States

of

the

Council

of

Europe, the nonmember States which have participated in its elaboration and the

EuropeanUnion.

2 This Convention is subject to ratification, acceptance or approval. Instruments of

ratification,acceptanceorapprovalshallbedepositedwiththeSecretaryGeneralofthe

CouncilofEurope.

3 ThisConvention shall enter into force on the firstday of themonth following the

expirationofaperiodofthreemonthsafterthedateonwhich10signatories,includingat

least8memberStatesoftheCouncilofEurope,haveexpressedtheirconsenttobebound

by

the

Convention

in

accordance

with

the

provisions

of

paragraph

2.

4 In respect of any State referred to in paragraph 1 or the European Union, which

subsequently expresses its consent tobeboundby it, theConvention shall enter into

forceonthefirstdayofthemonthfollowingtheexpirationofaperiodofthreemonths

afterthedateofthedepositofitsinstrumentofratification,acceptanceorapproval.

Article76AccessiontotheConvention

1 After the entry into force of this Convention, the Committee of Ministers of the

CouncilofEuropemay,afterconsultationofthePartiestothisConventionandobtaining

their

unanimous

consent,

invite

any

non

member

State

of

the

Council

of

Europe,

which

hasnotparticipatedintheelaborationoftheConvention,toaccedetothisConventionby

adecisiontakenbythemajorityprovidedforinArticle20.doftheStatuteoftheCouncil

ofEurope,andbyunanimousvoteoftherepresentativesofthePartiesentitledtositon

theCommitteeofMinisters.

2 InrespectofanyaccedingState,theConventionshallenterintoforceonthefirstday

of the month following the expiration of a period of three months after the date of

deposit of the instrument of accession with the Secretary General of the Council of

Europe.

Article77Territorialapplication

1 AnyStateortheEuropeanUnionmay,atthetimeofsignatureorwhendepositingits

instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession, specify the territory or

territoriestowhichthisConventionshallapply.

2 AnyPartymay,atanylaterdate,byadeclarationaddressedtotheSecretaryGeneral

oftheCouncilofEurope,extendtheapplicationofthisConventiontoanyotherterritory

specified in thedeclarationand forwhose internationalrelations it isresponsibleoron


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whose behalf it is authorised to give undertakings. In respect of such territory, the

Conventionshallenterintoforceonthefirstdayofthemonthfollowingtheexpirationof

aperiodof threemonthsafter thedateof receiptof suchdeclarationby theSecretary

General.

3

Any

declaration

made

under

the

two

preceding

paragraphs

may,

in

respect

of

any

territoryspecified insuchdeclaration,bewithdrawnbyanotificationaddressed to the

SecretaryGeneraloftheCouncilofEurope.Thewithdrawalshallbecomeeffectiveonthe

firstdayofthemonthfollowingtheexpirationofaperiodofthreemonthsafterthedate

ofreceiptofsuchnotificationbytheSecretaryGeneral.

Article78Reservations

1 NoreservationmaybemadeinrespectofanyprovisionofthisConvention,withthe

exceptionsprovidedforinparagraphs2and3.

2

Any

State

or

the

European

Union

may,

at

the

time

of

signature

or

when

depositing

its

instrumentofratification,acceptance,approvaloraccession,byadeclarationaddressed

totheSecretaryGeneraloftheCouncilofEurope,declarethatitreservestherightnotto

applyortoapplyonlyinspecificcasesorconditionstheprovisionslaiddownin:

Article30,paragraph2; Article44,paragraphs1.e,3and4; Article55,paragraph1inrespectofArticle35regardingminoroffences; Article58inrespectofArticles37,38and39; Article59.

3 AnyStateortheEuropeanUnionmay,atthetimeofsignatureorwhendepositingits

instrumentof

ratification,

acceptance,

approval

or

accession,

by

adeclaration

addressed

to theSecretaryGeneralof theCouncilofEurope,declare that it reserves the right to

provide for noncriminal sanctions, instead of criminal sanctions, for thebehaviours

referredtoinArticles33and34.

4 AnyPartymaywhollyorpartlywithdraw a reservationbymeansof adeclaration

addressed to the Secretary General of the Council of Europe. This declaration shall

becomeeffectiveasfromitsdateofreceiptbytheSecretaryGeneral.

Article79Validityandreviewofreservations

1Reservations

referred

to

in

Article

78,

paragraphs

2and

3,

shall

be

valid

for

aperiod

of

fiveyearsfromthedayoftheentryintoforceofthisConventioninrespectoftheParty

concerned. However, such reservations may be renewed for periods of the same

duration.

2 Eighteenmonthsbeforethedateofexpiryofthereservation,theSecretariatGeneralof

theCouncilofEuropeshallgivenoticeof thatexpiry to thePartyconcerned.No later

thanthreemonthsbeforetheexpiry,thePartyshallnotifytheSecretaryGeneralthatitis


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upholding,amendingorwithdrawingitsreservation.Intheabsenceofanotificationby

thePartyconcerned,theSecretariatGeneralshallinformthatPartythatitsreservationis

considered tohavebeenextendedautomatically foraperiodofsixmonths.Failureby

thePartyconcernedtonotifyitsintentiontoupholdormodifyitsreservationbeforethe

expiryofthatperiodshallcausethereservationtolapse.

3 IfaPartymakesa reservation in conformitywithArticle78,paragraphs2and3, it

shall provide,before its renewal or upon request, an explanation toGREVIO, on the

groundsjustifyingitscontinuance.

Article80Denunciation

1 AnyPartymay, at any time,denounce thisConventionbymeans of anotification

addressedtotheSecretaryGeneraloftheCouncilofEurope.

2 Suchdenunciationshallbecomeeffectiveonthefirstdayofthemonthfollowingthe

expiration

of

a

period

of

three

months

after

the

date

of

receipt

of

the

notification

by

the

SecretaryGeneral.

Article81Notification

The SecretaryGeneral of theCouncil ofEurope shallnotify themember States of the

CouncilofEurope,thenonmemberStateswhichhaveparticipatedinitselaboration,any

signatory, any Party, the European Union, and any State invited to accede to this

Conventionof:

a anysignature;

b

the

deposit

of

any

instrument

of

ratification,

acceptance,

approval

or

accession;

c anydateofentryintoforceofthisConventioninaccordancewithArticles75

and76;

d anyamendmentadoptedinaccordancewithArticle72andthedateonwhich

suchanamendmententersintoforce;

e anyreservationandwithdrawalofreservationmadeinpursuanceofArticle

78;

f anydenunciationmadeinpursuanceoftheprovisionsofArticle80;

g anyotheract,notificationorcommunicationrelatingtothisConvention.

In witness whereof the undersigned,being duly authorised thereto, have signed this

Convention.

Done at [Istanbul], this [11th]day of [May 2011], inEnglish and in French,both texts

beingequallyauthentic,inasinglecopywhichshallbedepositedinthearchivesofthe

Council of Europe. The Secretary General of the Council of Europe shall transmit

certifiedcopiestoeachmemberStateoftheCouncilofEurope,tothenonmemberStates

whichhaveparticipated in theelaborationof thisConvention, to theEuropeanUnion

andtoanyStateinvitedtoaccedetothisConvention.


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AppendixPrivilegesandimmunities(Article66)

1 ThisappendixshallapplytothemembersofGREVIOmentionedinArticle66ofthe

Convention,aswellastoothermembersofthecountryvisitdelegations.Forthepurpose

ofthisappendix,thetermothermembersofthecountryvisitdelegationsshallinclude

theindependent

national

experts

and

the

specialists

mentioned

in

Article

68,

paragraph

9,oftheConvention,staffmembersoftheCouncilofEuropeandinterpretersemployed

bytheCouncilofEuropeaccompanyingGREVIOduringitscountryvisits.

2 ThemembersofGREVIOandtheothermembersofthecountryvisitdelegationsshall,

while exercising their functions relating to the preparation and the carrying out of

countryvisits,aswellas the followup thereto,and travelling inconnectionwith those

functions,enjoythefollowingprivilegesandimmunities:

a immunityfrompersonalarrestordetentionandfromseizureoftheirpersonal

baggage, and immunity from legal process of every kind in respect ofwords

spokenorwrittenandallactsperformedbythemintheirofficialcapacity;

b exemption fromanyrestrictionsontheir freedomofmovementonexit from

andreturntotheircountryofresidence,andentryintoandexitfromthecountry

inwhichtheyexercisetheirfunctions,andfromalienregistrationinthecountry

whichtheyarevisitingorthroughwhichtheyarepassingintheexerciseoftheir

functions.

3 Inthecourseofjourneysundertakenintheexerciseoftheirfunctions,themembersof

GREVIOand theothermembersof thecountryvisitdelegationsshall, in thematterof

customs and exchange control, be accorded the same facilities as those accorded to

representativesofforeigngovernmentsontemporaryofficialduty.

4 Thedocuments relating to the evaluation of the implementation of theConvention

carriedbymembersofGREVIOandothermembersofthecountryvisitdelegationsshall

beinviolableinsofarastheyconcerntheactivityofGREVIO.Nostoppageorcensorship

shallbeappliedtotheofficialcorrespondenceofGREVIOortoofficialcommunications

ofmembersofGREVIOandothermembersofthecountryvisitdelegations.

5 InordertosecureforthemembersofGREVIOandtheothermembersofthecountry

visit delegations complete freedom of speech and complete independence in the

dischargeoftheirduties,theimmunityfromlegalprocessinrespectofwordsspokenor

written and all acts done by them in discharging their duties shall continue to be

accorded,notwithstanding

that

the

persons

concerned

are

no

longer

engaged

in

the

dischargeofsuchduties.


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6 Privilegesandimmunitiesaregrantedtothepersonsmentionedinparagraph1ofthis

appendixinordertosafeguardtheindependentexerciseoftheirfunctionsintheinterests

ofGREVIOandnot fortheirpersonalbenefit.Thewaiverof immunitiesof thepersons

mentionedinparagraph1ofthisappendixshallbemadebytheSecretaryGeneralofthe

CouncilofEuropeinanycasewhere,inhisorheropinion,theimmunitywouldimpede

the courseofjustice andwhere it canbewaivedwithoutprejudice to the interestsof

GREVIO.

Convention CoE En

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