27/02/2012 President
Strasbourg, 27.02.2012 – When it comes to combating violence against women, "we are all responsible – parliaments, international organisations, diplomatic missions and non-governmental organisations – whether we are involved in the political sphere or on the ground, we must all work together to disseminate the international instruments and spread the practices which can turn the tide," said PACE President Jean-Claude Mignon, speaking in New York today at an event held on the sidelines of the 56th session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women.
"The commitment of the Council of Europe and its Parliamentary Assembly in this field has culminated in the adoption of the Istanbul Convention on domestic violence. While the text is in itself a victory already won, we must fight on together to speed up its entry into force; otherwise the provisions of this text will remain a dead letter," he pointed out.
In this context, Mr Mignon applauded the co-operation between the Council of Europe and UN Women, whose Executive Director, Michelle Bachelet, addressed the last plenary session of the PACE in Strasbourg.