Appendix 1 – Parliamentary Network Women
Free from Violence
Terms of Reference
1. The Parliamentary Network Women
Free from Violence (“the Network”) was established under the auspices
of the Committee on Equality and Non-Discrimination, following the
Council of Europe campaign “Stop domestic violence against women”
in 2006.
Aim of the Network
1. In accordance with
Resolution 1512 (2006) “Parliaments united in combating domestic violence against women”,
it is the task of the Network to facilitate co-operation between
national parliaments aimed at ending violence against women and
domestic violence throughout the continent, and at promoting the
ratification and implementation of the Istanbul Convention.
Composition of the Network
1. The Network is composed of:
1.1 In respect of Council of Europe
member States: each national delegation appoints members from each
parliamentary chamber;
1.2 In respect of the parliaments with Observer or Partner
for Democracy status with the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council
of Europe: for each unicameral parliament, one member of parliament,
appointed by the national parliament; for each for bicameral parliament,
one member of each chamber of the parliament, appointed by their
chamber.
2. The members of the Bureau of the Committee on Equality and
Non-Discrimination are ex officio members
of the Network.
3. The Network may invite members of other similar interparliamentary
networks to participate in its work.
Working methods of the Network
1. All members of the Committee
on Equality and Non-Discrimination are entitled to attend the meetings
of the Network.
2. The working languages of the Network are English and French.
3. The Network is co-ordinated and its meetings chaired by the
General Rapporteur on violence against women. In the absence of
the General Rapporteur, a meeting of the Network may exceptionally
be chaired by a member of the Bureau of the Committee on Equality
and Non-Discrimination, or, in their absence, by the oldest member
present.
4. The Network shall submit to the Committee on Equality and
Non-Discrimination, for approval and transmission to the Bureau
of the Assembly any decisions that may have consequences for the
ordinary budget of the Assembly.
5. Except where alternative arrangements are expressly made,
the costs of participation of members of the Network in its events
shall be borne by their national parliaments.
6. In fulfilling its task set out in paragraph 1 of these terms
of reference, the Network shall be inspired by the European Convention
on Human Rights, the Council of Europe Convention on preventing
and combating violence against women and domestic violence (Istanbul
Convention), and other relevant international and European treaties,
texts adopted by the Parliamentary Assembly, as well as by other
relevant international declarations and reports relevant to prevent
and combat violence against women and domestic violence.
7. The Network may co-operate with parliamentarians and national
parliaments outside of Europe, as well as with parliamentary networks
and regional and international parliamentary assemblies.
8. The dissolution of the Network shall be subject to a decision
of the Committee on Equality and Non-Discrimination and to the latter’s
approval by the Bureau.
