(1)

The Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence (the ‘Convention’) was concluded by the Union by means of Council Decision (EU) 2023/1075 (1) with regard to institutions and public administration of the Union, and by means of Council Decision (EU) 2023/1076 (2) with regard to matters related to judicial cooperation in criminal matters, asylum and non-refoulement, insofar as such matters fall within the exclusive competence of the Union. The Convention entered into force for the Union on 1 October 2023.

(2)

Pursuant to Article 66(1) of the Convention, the Group of experts on action against violence against women and domestic violence (‘GREVIO’) is to monitor the implementation of the Convention by the Parties to the Convention (the ‘Parties’). In accordance with Article 68(11) of the Convention, GREVIO is to adopt its report and conclusions concerning the measures taken by the Party concerned to implement the provisions of the Convention.

(3)

The Committee of the Parties (the ‘Committee’) adopts recommendations addressed to the Party concerned, in accordance with Article 68(12) of the Convention, on the basis of the report and conclusions of GREVIO. Such recommendations distinguish between measures to be taken as soon as possible, with a requirement to report back to the Committee within a three-year period, and measures which, while important, do not require the same level of immediacy. At the end of that three-year period, the Party concerned is to report back to the Committee on the measures taken, within 10 specific areas of the Convention. On the basis of that report, and any additional information, the Committee is to adopt conclusions on the implementation of those recommendations, prepared by the secretariat of the Committee.

(4)

The Committee, during its 20th meeting on 2 June 2026, is expected to adopt the following draft conclusions on the implementation of recommendations in respect of nine of the Parties (the ‘draft conclusions’):

(5)

The draft conclusions concern the implementation of provisions of the Convention relating to judicial cooperation in criminal matters, such as matters relating to the protection and support of victims of violence against women and domestic violence. The draft conclusions also concern the implementation of provisions of the Convention relating to asylum and non-refoulement. Those matters are covered by the Union acquis, in particular Council Directive 2003/86/EC (3), Directives 2012/29/EU (4), (EU) 2024/1346 (5) and (EU) 2024/1385 (6) of the European Parliament and of the Council, and Regulations (EU) 2024/1347 (7) and (EU) 2024/1348 (8) of the European Parliament and of the Council.

(6)

The draft conclusions will have legal effects, as they are capable of decisively influencing the content of Union law in that they could affect the interpretation of relevant provisions of the Convention in the future. It is therefore appropriate to establish the position to be taken on the Union’s behalf within the Committee for matters related to judicial cooperation in criminal matters, asylum and non-refoulement.

(7)

It should be noted that the draft conclusions relating to certain articles of the Convention fall only partly within the Union’s competence. As regards those articles, this Decision should be without prejudice to Member States’ competence. In particular, as regards the draft conclusions relating to Articles 49 and 50 of the Convention, this Decision should not affect Member States’ competence in the internal organisation and administration of their justice systems and as regards the draft conclusions relating to Article 31 of the Convention, this Decision should be without prejudice to Member States’ competence in the area of family law.

(8)

As regards Bosnia and Herzegovina, the draft conclusions on the implementation of recommendations include the need to: harmonise policies and measures taken to implement the Convention by ensuring that they cover all forms of violence against women and all parts of the state territory and that they are independently monitored and evaluated (Article 7 of the Convention); streamline the number of existing coordinating bodies and ensure sufficient financial resources (Article 10 of the Convention); pursue efforts to collect systematic, comparable and disaggregated data from all relevant resources (Article 11 of the Convention); ensure that emergency barring orders are issued quickly in situations of immediate danger and can be extended to the victim’s children and that there are no gaps between such orders (Articles 52 and 53 of the Convention); and enable migrant women who are victims of violence covered by the Convention to apply for an autonomous residence permit (Article 59 of the Convention). As those draft conclusions are in line with the Union’s policies and objectives in the area of judicial cooperation in criminal matters, asylum and non-refoulement and do not raise any concerns with respect to Union law, the position of the Union should be to not object to their adoption.

(9)

As regards Cyprus, the draft conclusions on the implementation of recommendations include the need to: ensure that the provisions of the Convention are implemented without discrimination (Article 4 of the Convention); pursue efforts to collect systematic, comparable and disaggregated data from all relevant resources (Article 11 of the Convention); enable the competent authorities to order the eviction of a perpetrator of domestic violence from the shared residence in situations of immediate danger and ensure that such orders are monitored and enforced, and that sanctions for breaches are effectively applied in practice (Articles 52 and 53 of the Convention); and develop and implement guidelines on gender-sensitive reception procedures and on the prevention of gender-based violence against women and girls in asylum accommodation (Article 60 of the Convention). As those draft conclusions are in line with the Union’s policies and objectives in the area of judicial cooperation in criminal matters, asylum and non-refoulement and do not raise any concerns with respect to Union law, the position of the Union should be to not object to their adoption.

(10)

As regards Estonia, the draft conclusions on the implementation of recommendations include the need to: ensure that relevant policies and measures address all forms of violence against women covered by the Convention and are implemented based on a gendered understanding of violence and that their impact is being evaluated (Article 7 of the Convention); ensure that due consideration is given to the safety of women who are victims of domestic violence and of their children in custody and visitation proceedings (Article 31 of the Convention); and ensure that the legal framework and practice concerning emergency barring orders are in line with the Convention (Article 52 of the Convention). As those draft conclusions are in line with the Union’s policies and objectives in the area of judicial cooperation in criminal matters, asylum and non-refoulement and do not raise any concerns with respect to Union law, the position of the Union should be to not object to their adoption.

(11)

As regards Georgia, the draft conclusions on the implementation of recommendations include the need to: ensure that all relevant policies and measures implement a gendered understanding of violence and that their impact is subject to systematic evaluation (Article 7 of the Convention); ensure that women’s rights organisations are provided with adequate and sustainable financing and are being consulted regularly (Article 9 of the Convention); ensure that institutionalised structures are in place for coordination and cooperation between relevant actors to ensure a multi-agency, coordinated response to all forms of violence covered by the Convention (Article 18 of the Convention); expand the number and capacity of shelters and ensure the existence of same-sex shelters (Article 23 of the Convention); and ensure that criminal liability for rape can be established without unnecessary procedures or practices that could lead to the re-traumatisation of victims (Articles 49 and 50 of the Convention). As those draft conclusions are in line with the Union’s policies and objectives in the area of judicial cooperation in criminal matters, asylum and non-refoulement and do not raise any concerns with respect to Union law, the position of the Union should be to not object to their adoption.

(12)

As regards Germany, the draft conclusions on the implementation of recommendations include the need to: adopt nation-wide definitions in line with the Convention (Article 3 of the Convention); ensure coordination and cooperation between all relevant actors in implementing policies and measures to prevent and combat all forms of violence against women and domestic violence, and provide a multi-agency and coordinated response without discrimination (Article 7 of the Convention); and ensure that all relevant sectors collect disaggregated data (Article 11 of the Convention). As those draft conclusions are in line with the Union’s policies and objectives in the area of judicial cooperation in criminal matters, asylum and non-refoulement and do not raise any concerns with respect to Union law, the position of the Union should be to not object to their adoption.

(13)

As regards Iceland, the draft conclusions on the implementation of recommendations include the need to: ensure that the national coordinating body is given a clear mandate to fulfil its functions and is provided with dedicated resources (Article 10 of the Convention); and reinforce prosecutorial and investigative capacity in relation to all forms of violence against women and ensure systematic and gender-sensitive risk assessment (Articles 49, 50 and 51 of the Convention). As those draft conclusions are in line with the Union’s policies and objectives in the area of judicial cooperation in criminal matters, asylum and non-refoulement and do not raise any concerns with respect to Union law, the position of the Union should be to not object to their adoption.

(14)

As regards Norway, the draft conclusions on the implementation of recommendations include the need to: ensure that national policy documents are well-coordinated and provide a holistic response to all forms of violence against women and domestic violence (Article 7 of the Convention); ensure that the data collected by relevant stakeholders are disaggregated (Article 11 of the Convention); and take measures to ensure that competent authorities can order a perpetrator of domestic violence to vacate the residence of the victim in situations of immediate danger and reduce the processing time for such orders (Article 52 of the Convention). As those draft conclusions are in line with the Union’s policies and objectives in the area of judicial cooperation in criminal matters, asylum and non-refoulement and do not raise any concerns with respect to Union law, the position of the Union should be to not object to their adoption.

(15)

As regards Romania, the draft conclusions on the implementation of recommendations include the need to: improve the application of the Convention to all forms of violence covered by the Convention, ensure that the provisions of the Convention are implemented without discrimination, take measures to align relevant legislation with the definition of domestic violence, and introduce a gender perspective into Romania’s Domestic Violence Law (Articles 3 and 4 of the Convention); ensure coordination and cooperation between all relevant actors in implementing policies and measures to prevent and combat violence against women and domestic violence (Article 7 of the Convention); ensure appropriate financial resources for the implementation of relevant policies and measures and stable and sustainable funding for women’s NGOs supporting victims (Article 8 of the Convention); and ensure the collection of disaggregated data (Article 11 of the Convention). As those draft conclusions are in line with the Union’s policies and objectives in the area of judicial cooperation in criminal matters, asylum and non-refoulement and do not raise any concerns with respect to Union law, the position of the Union should be to not object to their adoption.

(16)

As regards Switzerland, the draft conclusions on the implementation of recommendations include the need to: ensure a common understanding of violence against women in accordance with the Convention and take efforts to address and combat violence against victims exposed to intersectional discrimination (Articles 3 and 4 of the Convention); ensure appropriate funding for relevant policies and measures and sustainable funding for organisations providing specialist support services to women who are victims of violence (Article 8 of the Convention); continue efforts to improve the collection of disaggregated data in the criminal justice system (Article 11 of the Convention); ensure that victims and their children have access to specialist shelters throughout the country (Articles 22 and 23 of the Convention); and ensure the safety of victims and their children in the exercise of visitation rights (Article 31 of the Convention). As those draft conclusions are in line with the Union’s policies and objectives in the area of judicial cooperation in criminal matters, asylum and non-refoulement and do not raise any concerns with respect to Union law, the position of the Union should be to not object to their adoption.

(17)

The Committee, during its 20th meeting on 2 June 2026, is expected to elect five GREVIO members. If elected, they will hold office from 1 September 2026 until 31 August 2030. Pursuant to Article 66 of the Convention, GREVIO is composed of 15 members. Its members are elected by the Committee from among candidates nominated by the Parties for a term of office of four years, renewable once. GREVIO members are to be chosen from among nationals of the Parties, taking into account a gender and geographical balance, as well as multidisciplinary expertise in the area of combating violence against women and domestic violence.

(18)

As a member of the Committee, the Union is entitled to five votes with regard to the envisaged election of five GREVIO members. Those five GREVIO members are to be elected by the Committee from the 15 candidates that have been nominated by 13 Parties. Out of the 13 nominating countries, 11 are Union Member States. As all nominated candidates have extensive multidisciplinary experience in the area of combating violence against women and domestic violence, as set out in document IC-CP(2026)2, the position of the Union should be to abstain in that election.

(19)

In accordance with Articles 1 and 2 of Protocol No 21 on the position of the United Kingdom and Ireland in respect of the area of freedom, security and justice, annexed to the Treaty on European Union (TEU) and to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU), and without prejudice to Article 4 of that Protocol, Ireland is not taking part in the adoption of this Decision and is not bound by it or subject to its application.

(20)

In accordance with Articles 1 and 2 of Protocol No 22 on the position of Denmark, annexed to the TEU and to the TFEU, Denmark is not taking part in the adoption of this Decision and is not bound by it or subject to its application,

(1)

to not object to the adoption of the following acts:

(2)

to abstain in the election of five members of the Group of experts on action against violence against women and domestic violence (‘GREVIO’).