(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 Union has exclusive competence to accept obligations set out in the Convention with regard to its own institutions and public administration, within the scope of Article 336 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. In paragraph 305 of its Opinion 1/19 of 6 October 2021 (3), the Court of Justice of the European Union (the ‘Court of Justice’) held that a significant part of the obligations set out in the Convention relating to the adoption of preventive and protection measures are, in essence, binding on the Union as regards the staff in its administration and as regards members of the public visiting the premises and buildings of its institutions, agencies and bodies. Moreover, in paragraph 307 of that Opinion, the Court of Justice held that the Union should not confine itself to establishing minimum requirements or supporting measures, but should itself ensure that those obligations are fully satisfied. At the same time, the extent of the Union’s obligations should be interpreted bearing in mind its specific nature and powers. In particular, since the Union’s public administration is not endowed with law enforcement powers, recommendations relating to matters of law enforcement, such as the issue of emergency barring orders, should be interpreted as requiring the Union to ensure the safety of victims within the limits of its powers, for example by refusing alleged perpetrators access to the premises of its institutions.

(6)

The draft conclusions concern the implementation of provisions of the Convention which apply to the Union with regard to its own institutions and public administration. It is therefore appropriate to establish the position to be taken on the Union’s behalf within the Committee with regard to matters related to institutions and public administration of the Union, as the draft conclusions 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.

(7)

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 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); and ensure that emergency barring orders can be issued without delay where there is an immediate danger (Articles 52 and 53 of the Convention). As those draft conclusions are in line with the Union’s policies and objectives and do not raise any concerns with respect to Union law, the position of the Union should be to not object to their adoption.

(8)

As regards Cyprus, the draft conclusions on the implementation of recommendations include the need to: pursue efforts to collect systematic, comparable and disaggregated data from all relevant resources (Article 11 of the Convention); and ensure that relevant authorities can immediately issue restraining and emergency barring orders in cases of imminent danger and that such orders are monitored and enforced (Articles 52 and 53 of the Convention). As those draft conclusions are in line with the Union’s policies and objectives 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 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 the impact of those policies and measures is being evaluated (Article 7 of the Convention); and ensure that the practice concerning emergency barring orders is in line with the Convention (Article 52 of the Convention). As those draft conclusions are in line with the Union’s policies and objectives 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 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 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); ensure the availability of shelters (Article 23 of the Convention); and avoid 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 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 Germany, the draft conclusions on the implementation of recommendations include the need to: ensure coordination and cooperation among 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 actors collect disaggregated data (Article 11 of the Convention). As those draft conclusions are in line with the Union’s policies and objectives 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 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 that it is provided with dedicated resources (Article 10 of the Convention); and ensure a 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 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 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 the collection of disaggregated data (Article 11 of the Convention); and ensure that relevant authorities can issue emergency barring orders in cases of imminent danger (Article 52 of the Convention). As those draft conclusions are in line with the Union’s policies and objectives 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 Romania, the draft conclusions on the implementation of recommendations include the need to: ensure coordination and cooperation between all relevant actors in implementing policies and measures to prevent and combat violence against women and domestic (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 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 Switzerland, the draft conclusions on the implementation of recommendations include the need to: 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 (Article 11 of the Convention); and ensure that victims and their children have access to specialist shelters throughout the country (Articles 22 and 23 of the Convention). As those draft conclusions are in line with the Union’s policies and objectives 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)

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.

(17)

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,

(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’).