(1)

The Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence (‘the Convention’) is the first international instrument aiming to eliminate violence against women, including girls under the age of 18, as a root cause of persisting inequality between men and women, by setting up a comprehensive framework of legal and policy measures to prevent violence against women and protect and assist victims of such violence. The Convention entered into force on 1 April 2014. In accordance with Article 75 of the Convention, the Union may become a Party to the Convention.

(2)

In accordance with Council Decisions (EU) 2017/865 (2) and (EU) 2017/866 (3), the Convention was signed on 13 June 2017 on behalf of the Union with regard to the matters covered by the Convention which fall within the exclusive competence of the European Union, subject to its conclusion at a later date.

(3)

The Convention creates a comprehensive and multifaceted legal framework to protect women against all forms of violence. It seeks to prevent, prosecute and eliminate violence against women and girls and domestic violence. It covers a broad range of measures, from data collection and awareness-raising to legal measures on criminalising different forms of violence against women. It includes measures for the protection of victims and the provision of support services, and addresses the gender based violence dimension in matters of asylum and migration. The Convention establishes a specific monitoring mechanism in order to ensure effective implementation of its provisions by the Parties.

(4)

The conclusion of the Convention on behalf of the Union will contribute to the realisation of equality between women and men in all areas, which is a core objective and value of the Union to be realised in all its activities in accordance with Articles 2 and 3 of the Treaty on European Union, Article 8 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union and Article 23 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union. Violence against women is not only a criminal offence but also a violation of their human rights and an extreme form of discrimination, entrenched in gender inequalities and contributing to maintaining and reinforcing them. By committing to the implementation of the Convention, the Union confirms its engagement in combating violence against women within its territory and globally, and reinforces its current political action and existing substantial legal framework in the area of criminal procedural law, which is of particular relevance for women and girls.

(5)

The Convention covers matters which fall within the exclusive competence of the Union and other matters which fall within the competence of the Member States.

(6)

The Union should accede to the Convention only as regards the matters falling within the exclusive competence of the Union, namely insofar as the relevant provisions of the Convention may affect common rules or alter their scope. The Member States retain their competence insofar as the Convention does not affect common rules or alter the scope thereof. The Union’s accession to the Convention as regards matters falling within its exclusive competence is without prejudice to the Member States’ competence as regards the ratification of the Convention, on matters falling within their national competences.

(7)

At the stage of implementation of the Convention, the Union will be responsible for the implementation of the provisions of the Convention falling within its exclusive competence, whereas the Member States that have ratified the Convention will have sole responsibility for the implementation of the provisions of the Convention falling within their national competence.

(8)

The Union has exclusive competence to accept the obligations set out in the Convention with regard to its own institutions and public administration. The Union should, by the time that the Convention enters into force for the Union, ensure that it complies with the Convention, including with regard to its own institutions and public administration.

(9)

This Decision concerns the provisions of the Convention only insofar as they are applicable to the Union’s institutions and public administration. It does not concern the provisions of the Convention on judicial cooperation in criminal matters, asylum or non-refoulement, which are addressed by a separate Council decision to be adopted in parallel with this Decision.

(10)

A Code of Conduct laying down the internal arrangements regarding the exercise of rights and obligations of the Union and Member States under the Convention (‘Code of Conduct’) has been drawn up between the Council, the Member States who are party to the Convention, and the Commission. These arrangements cover, inter alia, the Commission’s role as coordinating body within the meaning of Article 10 of the Convention for matters falling under the Union’s exclusive competence, without prejudice to the respective competences of the Member States and the autonomy of the institutions of the Union in matters relating to their respective operations; the monitoring mechanism, including reporting to the Group of Experts on Action against Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (GREVIO); the participation of the Union in meetings of the bodies created by the Convention, in particular the Committee of the Parties referred to in Article 67 of the Convention; the establishment of Union, common or coordinated positions for such meetings; and the close cooperation at such meetings, in particular as regards speaking and voting arrangements. The Code of Conduct is therefore intended as a practical internal tool to enable the Union and its Member States to achieve coherent, comprehensive and unified external representation with regard to the Convention.

(11)

The Convention should be approved,