Council of Europe Treaty Series - No. 210

Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against
women and domestic violence
Istanbul, 11.V.2011

Preamble
The member States of the Council of Europe and the other signatories hereto,
Recalling the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms(ETS No. 5, 1950) and its Protocols, the European Social Charter (ETS No. 35, 1961, revisedin 1996, ETS No. 163), the Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in
Human Beings (CETS No. 197, 2005) and the Council of Europe Convention on theProtection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse (CETS No. 201, 2007);
Recalling the following recommendations of the Committee of Ministers to member States of
the Council of Europe: Recommendation Rec(2002)5 on the protection of women against
violence, Recommendation CM/Rec(2007)17 on gender equality standards and mechanisms,
Recommendation CM/Rec(2010)10 on the role of women and men in conflict prevention andresolution and in peace building, and other relevant recommendations;
Taking account of the growing body of case law of the European Court of Human Rights
which sets important standards in the field of violence against women;
Having regard to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (1966), theInternational Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (1966), the United Nations
Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (“CEDAW”,
1979) and its Optional Protocol (1999) as well as General Recommendation No. 19 of the
CEDAW Committee on violence against women, the United Nations Convention on the Rightsof the Child (1989) and its Optional Protocols (2000) and the United Nations Convention on
the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (2006);
Having regard to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (2002);
Recalling the basic principles of international humanitarian law, and especially the Geneva
Convention (IV) relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War (1949) and the
Additional Protocols I and II (1977) thereto;
Condemning all forms of violence against women and domestic violence;
Recognising that the realisation of de jure and de facto equality between women and men is a
key element in the prevention of violence against women;
Recognising that violence against women is a manifestation of historically unequal power
relations between women and men, which have led to domination over, and discrimination
against, women by men and to the prevention of the full advancement of women;

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Recognising the structural nature of violence against women as gender-based violence, andthat violence against women is one of the crucial social mechanisms by which women areforced into a subordinate position compared with men;
Recognising, with grave concern, that women and girls are often exposed to serious forms ofviolence such as domestic violence, sexual harassment, rape, forced marriage, crimes
committed in the name of so-called “honour” and genital mutilation, which constitute a serious
violation of the human rights of women and girls and a major obstacle to the achievement ofequality between women and men;
Recognising the ongoing human rights violations during armed conflicts that affect the civilian
population, especially women in the form of widespread or systematic rape and sexual
violence and the potential for increased gender-based violence both during and after conflicts;
Recognising that women and girls are exposed to a higher risk of gender-based violence thanmen;
Recognising that domestic violence affects women disproportionately, and that men may also
be victims of domestic violence;
Recognising that children are victims of domestic violence, including as witnesses of violencein the family;
Aspiring to create a Europe free from violence against women and domestic violence,
Have agreed as follows:
Chapter I – Purposes, definitions, equality and non-discrimination, general obligations
Article 1 – Purposes of the Convention
1

2

The purposes of this Convention are to:aprotect women against all forms of violence, and prevent, prosecute and eliminate
violence against women and domestic violence;b

contribute to the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women and promote
substantive equality between women and men, including by empowering women;cdesign a comprehensive framework, policies and measures for the protection of andassistance to all victims of violence against women and domestic violence;dpromote international co-operation with a view to eliminating violence against womenand domestic violence;eprovide support and assistance to organisations and law enforcement agencies toeffectively co-operate in order to adopt an integrated approach to eliminating violenceagainst women and domestic violence.

In order to ensure effective implementation of its provisions by the Parties, this Convention
establishes a specific monitoring mechanism.
Article 2 – Scope of the Convention

1

This Convention shall apply to all forms of violence against women, including domestic
violence, which affects women disproportionately.
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2

Parties are encouraged to apply this Convention to all victims of domestic violence. Parties
shall pay particular attention to women victims of gender-based violence in implementing theprovisions of this Convention.

3

This Convention shall apply in times of peace and in situations of armed conflict.
Article 3 – Definitions
For the purpose of this Convention:a“violence against women” is understood as a violation of human rights and a form of
discrimination against women and shall mean all acts of gender-based violence that
result in, or are likely to result in, physical, sexual, psychological or economic harm or
suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation ofliberty, whether occurring in public or in private life;b“domestic violence” shall mean all acts of physical, sexual, psychological or economic
violence that occur within the family or domestic unit or between former or current
spouses or partners, whether or not the perpetrator shares or has shared the same
residence with the victim;

c“gender” shall mean the socially constructed roles, behaviours, activities and attributes
that a given society considers appropriate for women and men;d“gender-based violence against women” shall mean violence that is directed against awoman because she is a woman or that affects women disproportionately;e“victim” shall mean any natural person who is subject to the conduct specified in points aand b;f“women” includes girls under the age of 18.

Article 4 – Fundamental rights, equality and non-discrimination
1

Parties shall take the necessary legislative and other measures to promote and protect theright for everyone, particularly women, to live free from violence in both the public and theprivate sphere.

2

Parties condemn all forms of discrimination against women and take, without delay, thenecessary legislative and other measures to prevent it, in particular by:3–

embodying in their national constitutions or other appropriate legislation the principle ofequality between women and men and ensuring the practical realisation of this principle;–

prohibiting discrimination against women, including through the use of sanctions, whereappropriate;–

abolishing laws and practices which discriminate against women.

The implementation of the provisions of this Convention by the Parties, in particular measures
to protect the rights of victims, shall be secured without discrimination on any ground such assex, gender, race, colour, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social
origin, association with a national minority, property, birth, sexual orientation, gender identity,age, state of health, disability, marital status, migrant or refugee status, or other status.

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4

Special measures that are necessary to prevent and protect women from gender-based
violence shall not be considered discrimination under the terms of this Convention.
Article 5 – State obligations and due diligence

1

Parties shall refrain from engaging in any act of violence against women and ensure that
State authorities, officials, agents, institutions and other actors acting on behalf of the Stateact in conformity with this obligation.

2

Parties shall take the necessary legislative and other measures to exercise due diligence toprevent, investigate, punish and provide reparation for acts of violence covered by the scopeof this Convention that are perpetrated by non-State actors.
Article 6 – Gender-sensitive policies
Parties shall undertake to include a gender perspective in the implementation and evaluationof the impact of the provisions of this Convention and to promote and effectively implement
policies of equality between women and men and the empowerment of women.

Chapter II – Integrated policies and data collection
Article 7 – Comprehensive and co-ordinated policies
1

Parties shall take the necessary legislative and other measures to adopt and implement
State-wide effective, comprehensive and co-ordinated policies encompassing all relevantmeasures to prevent and combat all forms of violence covered by the scope of thisConvention and offer a holistic response to violence against women.

2Parties shall ensure that policies referred to in paragraph 1 place the rights of the victim at thecentre of all measures and are implemented by way of effective co-operation among all
relevant agencies, institutions and organisations.

3

Measures taken pursuant to this article shall involve, where appropriate, all relevant actors,
such as government agencies, the national, regional and local parliaments and authorities,
national human rights institutions and civil society organisations.
Article 8 – Financial resources
Parties shall allocate appropriate financial and human resources for the adequate
implementation of integrated policies, measures and programmes to prevent and combat all
forms of violence covered by the scope of this Convention, including those carried out by nongovernmental organisations and civil society.
Article 9 – Non-governmental organisations and civil society
Parties shall recognise, encourage and support, at all levels, the work of relevant nongovernmental organisations and of civil society active in combating violence against womenand establish effective co-operation with these organisations.
Article 10 – Co-ordinating body

1

Parties shall designate or establish one or more official bodies responsible for the coordination, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of policies and measures to preventand combat all forms of violence covered by this Convention. These bodies shall co-ordinate
the collection of data as referred to in Article 11, analyse and disseminate its results.

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2

Parties shall ensure that the bodies designated or established pursuant to this article receive
information of a general nature on measures taken pursuant to Chapter VIII.

3

Parties shall ensure that the bodies designated or established pursuant to this article shallhave the capacity to communicate directly and foster relations with their counterparts in otherParties.
Article 11 – Data collection and research1

For the purpose of the implementation of this Convention, Parties shall undertake to:acollect disaggregated relevant statistical data at regular intervals on cases of all forms ofviolence covered by the scope of this Convention;b

support research in the field of all forms of violence covered by the scope of thisConvention in order to study its root causes and effects, incidences and conviction rates,
as well as the efficacy of measures taken to implement this Convention.

2

Parties shall endeavour to conduct population-based surveys at regular intervals to assess
the prevalence of and trends in all forms of violence covered by the scope of this Convention.

3

Parties shall provide the group of experts, as referred to in Article 66 of this Convention, with
the information collected pursuant to this article in order to stimulate international co-operationand enable international benchmarking.

4

Parties shall ensure that the information collected pursuant to this article is available to the
public.

Chapter III – Prevention
Article 12 – General obligations
1

Parties shall take the necessary measures to promote changes in the social and cultural
patterns of behaviour of women and men with a view to eradicating prejudices, customs,
traditions and all other practices which are based on the idea of the inferiority of women or onstereotyped roles for women and men.

2

Parties shall take the necessary legislative and other measures to prevent all forms ofviolence covered by the scope of this Convention by any natural or legal person.

3

Any measures taken pursuant to this chapter shall take into account and address the specificneeds of persons made vulnerable by particular circumstances and shall place the humanrights of all victims at their centre.

4

Parties shall take the necessary measures to encourage all members of society, especiallymen and boys, to contribute actively to preventing all forms of violence covered by the scopeof this Convention.

5

Parties shall ensure that culture, custom, religion, tradition or so-called “honour” shall not be
considered as justification for any acts of violence covered by the scope of this Convention.

6

Parties shall take the necessary measures to promote programmes and activities for theempowerment of women.

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Article 13 – Awareness-raising1

Parties shall promote or conduct, on a regular basis and at all levels, awareness-raising
campaigns or programmes, including in co-operation with national human rights institutions
and equality bodies, civil society and non-governmental organisations, especially women’sorganisations, where appropriate, to increase awareness and understanding among thegeneral public of the different manifestations of all forms of violence covered by the scope of
this Convention, their consequences on children and the need to prevent such violence.

2

Parties shall ensure the wide dissemination among the general public of information on
measures available to prevent acts of violence covered by the scope of this Convention.
Article 14 – Education

1

Parties shall take, where appropriate, the necessary steps to include teaching material on
issues such as equality between women and men, non-stereotyped gender roles, mutual
respect, non-violent conflict resolution in interpersonal relationships, gender-based violenceagainst women and the right to personal integrity, adapted to the evolving capacity oflearners, in formal curricula and at all levels of education.

2

Parties shall take the necessary steps to promote the principles referred to in paragraph 1 in
informal educational facilities, as well as in sports, cultural and leisure facilities and the media.
Article 15 – Training of professionals

1Parties shall provide or strengthen appropriate training for the relevant professionals dealing
with victims or perpetrators of all acts of violence covered by the scope of this Convention, on
the prevention and detection of such violence, equality between women and men, the needs
and rights of victims, as well as on how to prevent secondary victimisation.

2

Parties shall encourage that the training referred to in paragraph 1 includes training on coordinated multi-agency co-operation to allow for a comprehensive and appropriate handling ofreferrals in cases of violence covered by the scope of this Convention.
Article 16 – Preventive intervention and treatment programmes

1

Parties shall take the necessary legislative or other measures to set up or support
programmes aimed at teaching perpetrators of domestic violence to adopt non-violent
behaviour in interpersonal relationships with a view to preventing further violence andchanging violent behavioural patterns.

2Parties shall take the necessary legislative or other measures to set up or support treatment
programmes aimed at preventing perpetrators, in particular sex offenders, from re-offending.

3

In taking the measures referred to in paragraphs 1 and 2, Parties shall ensure that the safetyof, support for and the human rights of victims are of primary concern and that, whereappropriate, these programmes are set up and implemented in close co-ordination withspecialist support services for victims.
Article 17 – Participation of the private sector and the media

1Parties shall encourage the private sector, the information and communication technology
sector and the media, with due respect for freedom of expression and their independence, toparticipate in the elaboration and implementation of policies and to set guidelines and selfregulatory standards to prevent violence against women and to enhance respect for theirdignity.

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2

Parties shall develop and promote, in co-operation with private sector actors, skills amongchildren, parents and educators on how to deal with the information and communications
environment that provides access to degrading content of a sexual or violent nature whichmight be harmful.

Chapter IV – Protection and support
Article 18 – General obligations
1

Parties shall take the necessary legislative or other measures to protect all victims from any
further acts of violence.

2

Parties shall take the necessary legislative or other measures, in accordance with internallaw, to ensure that there are appropriate mechanisms to provide for effective co-operation
between all relevant state agencies, including the judiciary, public prosecutors, law
enforcement agencies, local and regional authorities as well as non-governmentalorganisations and other relevant organisations and entities, in protecting and supporting
victims and witnesses of all forms of violence covered by the scope of this Convention,
including by referring to general and specialist support services as detailed in Articles 20
and 22 of this Convention.

3

Parties shall ensure that measures taken pursuant to this chapter shall:–be based on a gendered understanding of violence against women and domestic
violence and shall focus on the human rights and safety of the victim;–

be based on an integrated approach which takes into account the relationship between
victims, perpetrators, children and their wider social environment;–

aim at avoiding secondary victimisation;–

aim at the empowerment and economic independence of women victims of violence;–

allow, where appropriate, for a range of protection and support services to be located on
the same premises;–

address the specific needs of vulnerable persons, including child victims, and be madeavailable to them.

4

The provision of services shall not depend on the victim’s willingness to press charges or
testify against any perpetrator.

5

Parties shall take the appropriate measures to provide consular and other protection andsupport to their nationals and other victims entitled to such protection in accordance with their
obligations under international law.
Article 19 – Information
Parties shall take the necessary legislative or other measures to ensure that victims receive
adequate and timely information on available support services and legal measures in alanguage they understand.

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Article 20 – General support services
1

Parties shall take the necessary legislative or other measures to ensure that victims haveaccess to services facilitating their recovery from violence. These measures should include,
when necessary, services such as legal and psychological counselling, financial assistance,
housing, education, training and assistance in finding employment.

2

Parties shall take the necessary legislative or other measures to ensure that victims haveaccess to health care and social services and that services are adequately resourced andprofessionals are trained to assist victims and refer them to the appropriate services.
Article 21 – Assistance in individual/collective complaints
Parties shall ensure that victims have information on and access to applicable regional andinternational individual/collective complaints mechanisms. Parties shall promote the provisionof sensitive and knowledgeable assistance to victims in presenting any such complaints.
Article 22 – Specialist support services

1

Parties shall take the necessary legislative or other measures to provide or arrange for, in an
adequate geographical distribution, immediate, short- and long-term specialist support
services to any victim subjected to any of the acts of violence covered by the scope of thisConvention.

2

Parties shall provide or arrange for specialist women’s support services to all women victimsof violence and their children.
Article 23 – Shelters
Parties shall take the necessary legislative or other measures to provide for the setting-up of
appropriate, easily accessible shelters in sufficient numbers to provide safe accommodation
for and to reach out pro-actively to victims, especially women and their children.
Article 24 – Telephone helplines
Parties shall take the necessary legislative or other measures to set up state-wide round-theclock (24/7) telephone helplines free of charge to provide advice to callers, confidentially orwith due regard for their anonymity, in relation to all forms of violence covered by the scope of
this Convention.
Article 25 – Support for victims of sexual violence
Parties shall take the necessary legislative or other measures to provide for the setting up of
appropriate, easily accessible rape crisis or sexual violence referral centres for victims in
sufficient numbers to provide for medical and forensic examination, trauma support andcounselling for victims.
Article 26 – Protection and support for child witnesses

1Parties shall take the necessary legislative or other measures to ensure that in the provisionof protection and support services to victims, due account is taken of the rights and needs ofchild witnesses of all forms of violence covered by the scope of this Convention.

2

Measures taken pursuant to this article shall include age-appropriate psychosocial counsellingfor child witnesses of all forms of violence covered by the scope of this Convention and shallgive due regard to the best interests of the child.
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Article 27 – Reporting
Parties shall take the necessary measures to encourage any person witness to thecommission of acts of violence covered by the scope of this Convention or who hasreasonable grounds to believe that such an act may be committed, or that further acts ofviolence are to be expected, to report this to the competent organisations or authorities.
Article 28 – Reporting by professionals
Parties shall take the necessary measures to ensure that the confidentiality rules imposed byinternal law on certain professionals do not constitute an obstacle to the possibility, underappropriate conditions, of their reporting to the competent organisations or authorities if they
have reasonable grounds to believe that a serious act of violence covered by the scope of thisConvention, has been committed and further serious acts of violence are to be expected.
Chapter V – Substantive law
Article 29 – Civil lawsuits and remedies
1

Parties shall take the necessary legislative or other measures to provide victims withadequate civil remedies against the perpetrator.

2

Parties shall take the necessary legislative or other measures to provide victims, inaccordance with the general principles of international law, with adequate civil remedies
against State authorities that have failed in their duty to take the necessary preventive or
protective measures within the scope of their powers.
Article 30 – Compensation

1

Parties shall take the necessary legislative or other measures to ensure that victims have theright to claim compensation from perpetrators for any of the offences established inaccordance with this Convention.

2

Adequate State compensation shall be awarded to those who have sustained serious bodily
injury or impairment of health, to the extent that the damage is not covered by other sources
such as the perpetrator, insurance or State-funded health and social provisions. This does notpreclude Parties from claiming regress for compensation awarded from the perpetrator, as
long as due regard is paid to the victim’s safety.

3

Measures taken pursuant to paragraph 2 shall ensure the granting of compensation within areasonable time.
Article 31 – Custody, visitation rights and safety1Parties shall take the necessary legislative or other measures to ensure that, in thedetermination of custody and visitation rights of children, incidents of violence covered by thescope of this Convention are taken into account.

2

Parties shall take the necessary legislative or other measures to ensure that the exercise ofany visitation or custody rights does not jeopardise the rights and safety of the victim or
children.

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Article 32 – Civil consequences of forced marriages
Parties shall take the necessary legislative or other measures to ensure that marriages
concluded under force may be voidable, annulled or dissolved without undue financial oradministrative burden placed on the victim.
Article 33 – Psychological violence
Parties shall take the necessary legislative or other measures to ensure that the intentional
conduct of seriously impairing a person’s psychological integrity through coercion or threats iscriminalised.
Article 34 – Stalking
Parties shall take the necessary legislative or other measures to ensure that the intentional
conduct of repeatedly engaging in threatening conduct directed at another person, causing
her or him to fear for her or his safety, is criminalised.
Article 35 – Physical violence
Parties shall take the necessary legislative or other measures to ensure that the intentional
conduct of committing acts of physical violence against another person is criminalised.
Article 36 – Sexual violence, including rape1

Parties shall take the necessary legislative or other measures to ensure that the following
intentional conducts are criminalised:aengaging in non-consensual vaginal, anal or oral penetration of a sexual nature of the
body of another person with any bodily part or object;b

engaging in other non-consensual acts of a sexual nature with a person;

ccausing another person to engage in non-consensual acts of a sexual nature with a third
person.

2Consent must be given voluntarily as the result of the person’s free will assessed in thecontext of the surrounding circumstances.

3

Parties shall take the necessary legislative or other measures to ensure that the provisions ofparagraph 1 also apply to acts committed against former or current spouses or partners as
recognised by internal law.
Article 37 – Forced marriage

1

Parties shall take the necessary legislative or other measures to ensure that the intentional
conduct of forcing an adult or a child to enter into a marriage is criminalised.

2

Parties shall take the necessary legislative or other measures to ensure that the intentional
conduct of luring an adult or a child to the territory of a Party or State other than the one sheor he resides in with the purpose of forcing this adult or child to enter into a marriage iscriminalised.

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Article 38 – Female genital mutilation
Parties shall take the necessary legislative or other measures to ensure that the following
intentional conducts are criminalised:aexcising, infibulating or performing any other mutilation to the whole or any part of awoman’s labia majora, labia minora or clitoris;b

coercing or procuring a woman to undergo any of the acts listed in point a;cinciting, coercing or procuring a girl to undergo any of the acts listed in point a.

Article 39 – Forced abortion and forced sterilisation
Parties shall take the necessary legislative or other measures to ensure that the following
intentional conducts are criminalised:aperforming an abortion on a woman without her prior and informed consent;bperforming surgery which has the purpose or effect of terminating a woman’s capacity tonaturally reproduce without her prior and informed consent or understanding of theprocedure.

Article 40 – Sexual harassment
Parties shall take the necessary legislative or other measures to ensure that any form of
unwanted verbal, non-verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature with the purpose or effectof violating the dignity of a person, in particular when creating an intimidating, hostile,
degrading, humiliating or offensive environment, is subject to criminal or other legal sanction.
Article 41 – Aiding or abetting and attempt1Parties shall take the necessary legislative or other measures to establish as an offence,
when committed intentionally, aiding or abetting the commission of the offences established inaccordance with Articles 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38.a and 39 of this Convention.

2

Parties shall take the necessary legislative or other measures to establish as offences, whencommitted intentionally, attempts to commit the offences established in accordance with
Articles 35, 36, 37, 38.a and 39 of this Convention.
Article 42 –Unacceptable justifications for crimes, including crimes committed in thename of so-called “honour”

1

Parties shall take the necessary legislative or other measures to ensure that, in criminal
proceedings initiated following the commission of any of the acts of violence covered by thescope of this Convention, culture, custom, religion, tradition or so-called “honour” shall not be
regarded as justification for such acts. This covers, in particular, claims that the victim has
transgressed cultural, religious, social or traditional norms or customs of appropriate
behaviour.

2

Parties shall take the necessary legislative or other measures to ensure that incitement by
any person of a child to commit any of the acts referred to in paragraph 1 shall not diminish
the criminal liability of that person for the acts committed.

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Article 43 – Application of criminal offences
The offences established in accordance with this Convention shall apply irrespective of thenature of the relationship between victim and perpetrator.
Article 44 – Jurisdiction
1

Parties shall take the necessary legislative or other measures to establish jurisdiction overany offence established in accordance with this Convention, when the offence is committed:
a
b
c
d
e

in their territory; oron board a ship flying their flag; oron board an aircraft registered under their laws; orby one of their nationals; orby a person who has her or his habitual residence in their territory.

2

Parties shall endeavour to take the necessary legislative or other measures to establish
jurisdiction over any offence established in accordance with this Convention where theoffence is committed against one of their nationals or a person who has her or his habitualresidence in their territory.

3

For the prosecution of the offences established in accordance with Articles 36, 37, 38 and 39
of this Convention, Parties shall take the necessary legislative or other measures to ensurethat their jurisdiction is not subordinated to the condition that the acts are criminalised in the
territory where they were committed.

4

For the prosecution of the offences established in accordance with Articles 36, 37, 38 and 39
of this Convention, Parties shall take the necessary legislative or other measures to ensurethat their jurisdiction as regards points d and e of paragraph 1 is not subordinated to thecondition that the prosecution can only be initiated following the reporting by the victim of theoffence or the laying of information by the State of the place where the offence wascommitted.

5Parties shall take the necessary legislative or other measures to establish jurisdiction over theoffences established in accordance with this Convention, in cases where an alleged
perpetrator is present on their territory and they do not extradite her or him to another Party,
solely on the basis of her or his nationality.

6

When more than one Party claims jurisdiction over an alleged offence established inaccordance with this Convention, the Parties involved shall, where appropriate, consult eachother with a view to determining the most appropriate jurisdiction for prosecution.

7

Without prejudice to the general rules of international law, this Convention does not exclude
any criminal jurisdiction exercised by a Party in accordance with its internal law.
Article 45 – Sanctions and measures

1

Parties shall take the necessary legislative or other measures to ensure that the offences
established in accordance with this Convention are punishable by effective, proportionate anddissuasive sanctions, taking into account their seriousness. These sanctions shall include,
where appropriate, sentences involving the deprivation of liberty which can give rise to
extradition.

2

Parties may adopt other measures in relation to perpetrators, such as:–

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withdrawal of parental rights, if the best interests of the child, which may include thesafety of the victim, cannot be guaranteed in any other way.

Article 46 – Aggravating circumstances
Parties shall take the necessary legislative or other measures to ensure that the following
circumstances, insofar as they do not already form part of the constituent elements of theoffence, may, in conformity with the relevant provisions of internal law, be taken into
consideration as aggravating circumstances in the determination of the sentence in relation tothe offences established in accordance with this Convention:athe offence was committed against a former or current spouse or partner as recognised
by internal law, by a member of the family, a person cohabiting with the victim or aperson having abused her or his authority;bthe offence, or related offences, were committed repeatedly;cthe offence was committed against a person made vulnerable by particular
circumstances;dthe offence was committed against or in the presence of a child;ethe offence was committed by two or more people acting together;f

the offence was preceded or accompanied by extreme levels of violence;g

the offence was committed with the use or threat of a weapon;hthe offence resulted in severe physical or psychological harm for the victim;ithe perpetrator had previously been convicted of offences of a similar nature.

Article 47 – Sentences passed by another Party
Parties shall take the necessary legislative or other measures to provide for the possibility of
taking into account final sentences passed by another Party in relation to the offences
established in accordance with this Convention when determining the sentence.
Article 48 –Prohibition of mandatory alternative dispute resolution processes orsentencing

1

Parties shall take the necessary legislative or other measures to prohibit mandatory
alternative dispute resolution processes, including mediation and conciliation, in relation to all
forms of violence covered by the scope of this Convention.

2

Parties shall take the necessary legislative or other measures to ensure that if the payment ofa fine is ordered, due account shall be taken of the ability of the perpetrator to assume his or
her financial obligations towards the victim.

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Chapter VI – Investigation, prosecution, procedural law and protective measures
Article 49 – General obligations
1

Parties shall take the necessary legislative or other measures to ensure that investigations
and judicial proceedings in relation to all forms of violence covered by the scope of thisConvention are carried out without undue delay while taking into consideration the rights ofthe victim during all stages of the criminal proceedings.

2

Parties shall take the necessary legislative or other measures, in conformity with thefundamental principles of human rights and having regard to the gendered understanding ofviolence, to ensure the effective investigation and prosecution of offences established inaccordance with this Convention.
Article 50 – Immediate response, prevention and protection

1

Parties shall take the necessary legislative or other measures to ensure that the responsible
law enforcement agencies respond to all forms of violence covered by the scope of thisConvention promptly and appropriately by offering adequate and immediate protection to
victims.

2

Parties shall take the necessary legislative or other measures to ensure that the responsible
law enforcement agencies engage promptly and appropriately in the prevention andprotection against all forms of violence covered by the scope of this Convention, including theemployment of preventive operational measures and the collection of evidence.
Article 51 – Risk assessment and risk management

1

Parties shall take the necessary legislative or other measures to ensure that an assessmentof the lethality risk, the seriousness of the situation and the risk of repeated violence is carriedout by all relevant authorities in order to manage the risk and if necessary to provide coordinated safety and support.

2

Parties shall take the necessary legislative or other measures to ensure that the assessment
referred to in paragraph 1 duly takes into account, at all stages of the investigation andapplication of protective measures, the fact that perpetrators of acts of violence covered by
the scope of this Convention possess or have access to firearms.
Article 52 – Emergency barring orders
Parties shall take the necessary legislative or other measures to ensure that the competentauthorities are granted the power to order, in situations of immediate danger, a perpetrator ofdomestic violence to vacate the residence of the victim or person at risk for a sufficient periodof time and to prohibit the perpetrator from entering the residence of or contacting the victim
or person at risk. Measures taken pursuant to this article shall give priority to the safety ofvictims or persons at risk.
Article 53 – Restraining or protection orders

1

Parties shall take the necessary legislative or other measures to ensure that appropriate
restraining or protection orders are available to victims of all forms of violence covered by thescope of this Convention.

2

Parties shall take the necessary legislative or other measures to ensure that the restraining orprotection orders referred to in paragraph 1 are:14

CETS 210 – Violence against women and domestic violence, 11.V.2011__________________________________________________________________________________

3–

available for immediate protection and without undue financial or administrative burdens
placed on the victim;–

issued for a specified period or until modified or discharged;–

where necessary, issued on an ex parte basis which has immediate effect;–

available irrespective of, or in addition to, other legal proceedings;–

allowed to be introduced in subsequent legal proceedings.

Parties shall take the necessary legislative or other measures to ensure that breaches ofrestraining or protection orders issued pursuant to paragraph 1 shall be subject to effective,
proportionate and dissuasive criminal or other legal sanctions.
Article 54 – Investigations and evidence
Parties shall take the necessary legislative or other measures to ensure that, in any civil or
criminal proceedings, evidence relating to the sexual history and conduct of the victim shall bepermitted only when it is relevant and necessary.
Article 55 – Ex parte and ex officio proceedings

1

Parties shall ensure that investigations into or prosecution of offences established inaccordance with Articles 35, 36, 37, 38 and 39 of this Convention shall not be wholly
dependant upon a report or complaint filed by a victim if the offence was committed in whole
or in part on its territory, and that the proceedings may continue even if the victim withdraws
her or his statement or complaint.

2

Parties shall take the necessary legislative or other measures to ensure, in accordance withthe conditions provided for by their internal law, the possibility for governmental and nongovernmental organisations and domestic violence counsellors to assist and/or support
victims, at their request, during investigations and judicial proceedings concerning theoffences established in accordance with this Convention.
Article 56 – Measures of protection

1

Parties shall take the necessary legislative or other measures to protect the rights andinterests of victims, including their special needs as witnesses, at all stages of investigations
and judicial proceedings, in particular by:aproviding for their protection, as well as that of their families and witnesses, from
intimidation, retaliation and repeat victimisation;bensuring that victims are informed, at least in cases where the victims and the family
might be in danger, when the perpetrator escapes or is released temporarily or
definitively;c

informing them, under the conditions provided for by internal law, of their rights and theservices at their disposal and the follow-up given to their complaint, the charges, thegeneral progress of the investigation or proceedings, and their role therein, as well as theoutcome of their case;denabling victims, in a manner consistent with the procedural rules of internal law, to beheard, to supply evidence and have their views, needs and concerns presented, directlyor through an intermediary, and considered;
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2e

providing victims with appropriate support services so that their rights and interests are
duly presented and taken into account;fensuring that measures may be adopted to protect the privacy and the image of thevictim;gensuring that contact between victims and perpetrators within court and law enforcement
agency premises is avoided where possible;hproviding victims with independent and competent interpreters when victims are parties
to proceedings or when they are supplying evidence;ienabling victims to testify, according to the rules provided by their internal law, in the
courtroom without being present or at least without the presence of the alleged
perpetrator, notably through the use of appropriate communication technologies, whereavailable.

A child victim and child witness of violence against women and domestic violence shall beafforded, where appropriate, special protection measures taking into account the bestinterests of the child.
Article 57 – Legal aid
Parties shall provide for the right to legal assistance and to free legal aid for victims under theconditions provided by their internal law.
Article 58 – Statute of limitation
Parties shall take the necessary legislative and other measures to ensure that the statute oflimitation for initiating any legal proceedings with regard to the offences established inaccordance with Articles 36, 37, 38 and 39 of this Convention, shall continue for a period oftime that is sufficient and commensurate with the gravity of the offence in question, to allow
for the efficient initiation of proceedings after the victim has reached the age of majority.

Chapter VII – Migration and asylum
Article 59 – Residence status
1

Parties shall take the necessary legislative or other measures to ensure that victims whose
residence status depends on that of the spouse or partner as recognised by internal law, inthe event of the dissolution of the marriage or the relationship, are granted in the event ofparticularly difficult circumstances, upon application, an autonomous residence permit
irrespective of the duration of the marriage or the relationship. The conditions relating to the
granting and duration of the autonomous residence permit are established by internal law.

2

Parties shall take the necessary legislative or other measures to ensure that victims may
obtain the suspension of expulsion proceedings initiated in relation to a residence statusdependent on that of the spouse or partner as recognised by internal law to enable them toapply for an autonomous residence permit.

3

Parties shall issue a renewable residence permit to victims in one of the two following
situations, or in both:awhere the competent authority considers that their stay is necessary owing to theirpersonal situation;

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where the competent authority considers that their stay is necessary for the purpose of
their co-operation with the competent authorities in investigation or criminal proceedings.

Parties shall take the necessary legislative or other measures to ensure that victims of forced
marriage brought into another country for the purpose of the marriage and who, as a result,
have lost their residence status in the country where they habitually reside, may regain thisstatus.
Article 60 – Gender-based asylum claims

1

Parties shall take the necessary legislative or other measures to ensure that gender-based
violence against women may be recognised as a form of persecution within the meaning of
Article 1, A (2), of the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and as a form ofserious harm giving rise to complementary/subsidiary protection.

2

Parties shall ensure that a gender-sensitive interpretation is given to each of the Convention
grounds and that where it is established that the persecution feared is for one or more ofthese grounds, applicants shall be granted refugee status according to the applicable relevant
instruments.

3

Parties shall take the necessary legislative or other measures to develop gender-sensitive
reception procedures and support services for asylum-seekers as well as gender guidelinesand gender-sensitive asylum procedures, including refugee status determination andapplication for international protection.
Article 61 – Non-refoulement

1

Parties shall take the necessary legislative or other measures to respect the principle of nonrefoulement in accordance with existing obligations under international law.

2

Parties shall take the necessary legislative or other measures to ensure that victims ofviolence against women who are in need of protection, regardless of their status or residence,shall not be returned under any circumstances to any country where their life would be at risk
or where they might be subjected to torture or inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.

Chapter VIII – International co-operation
Article 62 – General principles
1

Parties shall co-operate with each other, in accordance with the provisions of this Convention,and through the application of relevant international and regional instruments on co-operationin civil and criminal matters, arrangements agreed on the basis of uniform or reciprocal
legislation and internal laws, to the widest extent possible, for the purpose of:apreventing, combating and prosecuting all forms of violence covered by the scope of thisConvention;b

protecting and providing assistance to victims;cinvestigations or proceedings concerning the offences established in accordance withthis Convention;denforcing relevant civil and criminal judgments issued by the judicial authorities ofParties, including protection orders.

17CETS 210 – Violence against women and domestic violence, 11.V.2011__________________________________________________________________________________
2

Parties shall take the necessary legislative or other measures to ensure that victims of an
offence established in accordance with this Convention and committed in the territory of a
Party other than the one where they reside may make a complaint before the competentauthorities of their State of residence.

3

If a Party that makes mutual legal assistance in criminal matters, extradition or enforcement ofcivil or criminal judgments imposed by another Party to this Convention conditional on theexistence of a treaty receives a request for such legal co-operation from a Party with which it
has not concluded such a treaty, it may consider this Convention to be the legal basis formutual legal assistance in criminal matters, extradition or enforcement of civil or criminal
judgments imposed by the other Party in respect of the offences established in accordancewith this Convention.

4

Parties shall endeavour to integrate, where appropriate, the prevention and the fight against
violence against women and domestic violence in assistance programmes for development
provided for the benefit of third States, including by entering into bilateral and multilateralagreements with third States with a view to facilitating the protection of victims in accordancewith Article 18, paragraph 5.
Article 63 – Measures relating to persons at risk
When a Party, on the basis of the information at its disposal, has reasonable grounds tobelieve that a person is at immediate risk of being subjected to any of the acts of violence
referred to in Articles 36, 37, 38 and 39 of this Convention on the territory of another Party,
the Party that has the information is encouraged to transmit it without delay to the latter for the
purpose of ensuring that appropriate protection measures are taken. Where applicable, thisinformation shall include details on existing protection provisions for the benefit of the person
at risk.
Article 64 – Information

1

The requested Party shall promptly inform the requesting Party of the final result of the action
taken under this chapter. The requested Party shall also promptly inform the requesting Partyof any circumstances which render impossible the carrying out of the action sought or are
likely to delay it significantly.

2

A Party may, within the limits of its internal law, without prior request, forward to another Party
information obtained within the framework of its own investigations when it considers that thedisclosure of such information might assist the receiving Party in preventing criminal offences
established in accordance with this Convention or in initiating or carrying out investigations orproceedings concerning such criminal offences or that it might lead to a request for cooperation by that Party under this chapter.

3

A Party receiving any information in accordance with paragraph 2 shall submit suchinformation to its competent authorities in order that proceedings may be taken if they are
considered appropriate, or that this information may be taken into account in relevant civil andcriminal proceedings.
Article 65 – Data Protection
Personal data shall be stored and used pursuant to the obligations undertaken by the Parties
under the Convention for the Protection of Individuals with regard to Automatic Processing of
Personal Data (ETS No. 108).

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Chapter IX – Monitoring mechanism
Article 66 –Group of experts on action against violence against women and domestic
violence

1

The Group of experts on action against violence against women and domestic violence(hereinafter referred to as “GREVIO”) shall monitor the implementation of this Convention by
the Parties.

2

GREVIO shall be composed of a minimum of 10 members and a maximum of 15 members,
taking into account a gender and geographical balance, as well as multidisciplinary expertise.
Its members shall be elected by the Committee of the Parties from among candidates
nominated by the Parties for a term of office of four years, renewable once, and chosen fromamong nationals of the Parties.

3

The initial election of 10 members shall be held within a period of one year following the entry
into force of this Convention. The election of five additional members shall be held following
the 25th ratification or accession.

4

The election of the members of GREVIO shall be based on the following principles:athey shall be chosen according to a transparent procedure from among persons of highmoral character, known for their recognised competence in the fields of human rights,
gender equality, violence against women and domestic violence, or assistance to andprotection of victims, or having demonstrated professional experience in the areas
covered by this Convention;bno two members of GREVIO may be nationals of the same State;cthey should represent the main legal systems;dthey should represent relevant actors and agencies in the field of violence against
women and domestic violence;ethey shall sit in their individual capacity and shall be independent and impartial in theexercise of their functions, and shall be available to carry out their duties in an effective
manner.

5

The election procedure of the members of GREVIO shall be determined by the Committee of
Ministers of the Council of Europe, after consulting with and obtaining the unanimous consent
of the Parties, within a period of six months following the entry into force of this Convention.

6

GREVIO shall adopt its own rules of procedure.

7

Members of GREVIO, and other members of delegations carrying out the country visits as set
forth in Article 68, paragraphs 9 and 14, shall enjoy the privileges and immunities establishedin the appendix to this Convention.
Article 67 – Committee of the Parties

1

The Committee of the Parties shall be composed of the representatives of the Parties to theConvention.

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2

The Committee of the Parties shall be convened by the Secretary General of the Council ofEurope. Its first meeting shall be held within a period of one year following the entry into forceof this Convention in order to elect the members of GREVIO. It shall subsequently meetwhenever one third of the Parties, the President of the Committee of the Parties or the
Secretary General so requests.

3

The Committee of the Parties shall adopt its own rules of procedure.
Article 68 – Procedure

1

Parties shall submit to the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, based on aquestionnaire prepared by GREVIO, a report on legislative and other measures giving effectto the provisions of this Convention, for consideration by GREVIO.

2

GREVIO shall consider the report submitted in accordance with paragraph 1 with therepresentatives of the Party concerned.

3

Subsequent evaluation procedures shall be divided into rounds, the length of which isdetermined by GREVIO. At the beginning of each round GREVIO shall select the specificprovisions on which the evaluation procedure shall be based and send out a questionnaire.

4

GREVIO shall define the appropriate means to carry out this monitoring procedure. It may inparticular adopt a questionnaire for each evaluation round, which shall serve as a basis forthe evaluation procedure of the implementation by the Parties. This questionnaire shall be
addressed to all Parties. Parties shall respond to this questionnaire, as well as to any otherrequest of information from GREVIO.

5

GREVIO may receive information on the implementation of the Convention from nongovernmental organisations and civil society, as well as from national institutions for theprotection of human rights.

6

GREVIO shall take due consideration of the existing information available from other regional
and international instruments and bodies in areas falling within the scope of this Convention.

7

When adopting a questionnaire for each evaluation round, GREVIO shall take due
consideration of the existing data collection and research in the Parties as referred to in
Article 11 of this Convention.

8

GREVIO may receive information on the implementation of the Convention from the Councilof Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, the Parliamentary Assembly and relevant
specialised bodies of the Council of Europe, as well as those established under otherinternational instruments. Complaints presented to these bodies and their outcome will bemade available to GREVIO.

9

GREVIO may subsidiarily organise, in co-operation with the national authorities and with theassistance of independent national experts, country visits, if the information gained isinsufficient or in cases provided for in paragraph 14. During these visits, GREVIO may beassisted by specialists in specific fields.

10

GREVIO shall prepare a draft report containing its analysis concerning the implementation of
the provisions on which the evaluation is based, as well as its suggestions and proposals
concerning the way in which the Party concerned may deal with the problems which havebeen identified. The draft report shall be transmitted for comments to the Party which
undergoes the evaluation. Its comments shall be taken into account by GREVIO when
adopting its report.

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11

On the basis of all the information received and the comments by the Parties, GREVIO shalladopt its report and conclusions concerning the measures taken by the Party concerned to
implement the provisions of this Convention. This report and the conclusions shall be sent to
the Party concerned and to the Committee of the Parties. The report and conclusions of
GREVIO shall be made public as from their adoption, together with eventual comments by the
Party concerned.

12

Without prejudice to the procedure of paragraphs 1 to 8, the Committee of the Parties may
adopt, on the basis of the report and conclusions of GREVIO, recommendations addressed tothis Party (a) concerning the measures to be taken to implement the conclusions of GREVIO,
if necessary setting a date for submitting information on their implementation, and (b) aiming
at promoting co-operation with that Party for the proper implementation of this Convention.

13

If GREVIO receives reliable information indicating a situation where problems require
immediate attention to prevent or limit the scale or number of serious violations of theConvention, it may request the urgent submission of a special report concerning measurestaken to prevent a serious, massive or persistent pattern of violence against women.

14

Taking into account the information submitted by the Party concerned, as well as any otherreliable information available to it, GREVIO may designate one or more of its members to
conduct an inquiry and to report urgently to GREVIO. Where warranted and with the consent
of the Party, the inquiry may include a visit to its territory.

15

After examining the findings of the inquiry referred to in paragraph 14, GREVIO shall transmit
these findings to the Party concerned and, where appropriate, to the Committee of the Parties
and the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe together with any comments andrecommendations.
Article 69 – General recommendations
GREVIO may adopt, where appropriate, general recommendations on the implementation ofthis Convention.
Article 70 – Parliamentary involvement in monitoring

1

National parliaments shall be invited to participate in the monitoring of the measures taken for
the implementation of this Convention.

2

Parties shall submit the reports of GREVIO to their national parliaments.

3

The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe shall be invited to regularly take stockof the implementation of this Convention.

Chapter X – Relationship with other international instruments
Article 71 – Relationship with other international instruments
1This Convention shall not affect obligations arising from other international instruments towhich Parties to this Convention are Parties or shall become Parties and which containprovisions on matters governed by this Convention.

2

The Parties to this Convention may conclude bilateral or multilateral agreements with one
another on the matters dealt with in this Convention, for purposes of supplementing or
strengthening its provisions or facilitating the application of the principles embodied in it.

21CETS 210 – Violence against women and domestic violence, 11.V.2011__________________________________________________________________________________
Chapter XI – Amendments to the Convention
Article 72 – Amendments
1

Any proposal for an amendment to this Convention presented by a Party shall be
communicated to the Secretary General of the Council of Europe and forwarded by her or him
to the member States of the Council of Europe, any signatory, any Party, the European Union,
any State invited to sign this Convention in accordance with the provisions of Article 75, andany State invited to accede to this Convention in accordance with the provisions of Article 76.

2

The Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe shall consider the proposed amendment
and, after having consulted the Parties to this Convention that are not members of the Councilof Europe, may adopt the amendment by the majority provided for in Article 20.d of the
Statute of the Council of Europe.

3

The text of any amendment adopted by the Committee of Ministers in accordance withparagraph 2 shall be forwarded to the Parties for acceptance.

4

Any amendment adopted in accordance with paragraph 2 shall enter into force on the first dayof the month following the expiration of a period of one month after the date on which all
Parties have informed the Secretary General of their acceptance.

Chapter XII – Final clauses
Article 73 – Effects of this Convention
The provisions of this Convention shall not prejudice the provisions of internal law and binding
international instruments which are already in force or may come into force, under which morefavourable rights are or would be accorded to persons in preventing and combating violenceagainst women and domestic violence.
Article 74 – Dispute settlement
1

The Parties to any dispute which may arise concerning the application or interpretation of theprovisions of this Convention shall first seek to resolve it by means of negotiation, conciliation,
arbitration or by any other methods of peaceful settlement accepted by mutual agreement
between them.

2

The Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe may establish procedures of settlement
to be available for use by the Parties in dispute if they should so agree.
Article 75 – Signature and entry into force

1

This Convention shall be open for signature by the member States of the Council of Europe,
the non-member States which have participated in its elaboration and the European Union.

2This Convention is subject to ratification, acceptance or approval. Instruments of ratification,
acceptance or approval shall be deposited with the Secretary General of the Council ofEurope.

3This Convention shall enter into force on the first day of the month following the expiration of aperiod of three months after the date on which 10 signatories, including at least eight member
States of the Council of Europe, have expressed their consent to be bound by the Conventionin accordance with the provisions of paragraph 2.

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4

In respect of any State referred to in paragraph 1 or the European Union, which subsequently
expresses its consent to be bound by it, the Convention shall enter into force on the first dayof the month following the expiration of a period of three months after the date of the depositof its instrument of ratification, acceptance or approval.
Article 76 – Accession to the Convention

1

After the entry into force of this Convention, the Committee of Ministers of the Council ofEurope may, after consultation of the Parties to this Convention and obtaining theirunanimous consent, invite any non-member State of the Council of Europe, which has notparticipated in the elaboration of the Convention, to accede to this Convention by a decision
taken by the majority provided for in Article 20.d of the Statute of the Council of Europe, andby unanimous vote of the representatives of the Parties entitled to sit on the Committee of
Ministers.

2

In respect of any acceding State, the Convention shall enter into force on the first day of themonth following the expiration of a period of three months after the date of deposit of the
instrument of accession with the Secretary General of the Council of Europe.
Article 77 – Territorial application

1

Any State or the European Union may, at the time of signature or when depositing its
instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession, specify the territory or territories
to which this Convention shall apply.

2

Any Party may, at any later date, by a declaration addressed to the Secretary General of theCouncil of Europe, extend the application of this Convention to any other territory specified in
the declaration and for whose international relations it is responsible or on whose behalf it isauthorised to give undertakings. In respect of such territory, the Convention shall enter into
force on the first day of the month following the expiration of a period of three months after thedate of receipt of such declaration by the Secretary General.

3

Any declaration made under the two preceding paragraphs may, in respect of any territory
specified in such declaration, be withdrawn by a notification addressed to the Secretary
General of the Council of Europe. The withdrawal shall become effective on the first day ofthe month following the expiration of a period of three months after the date of receipt of such
notification by the Secretary General.
Article 78 – Reservations

1

No reservation may be made in respect of any provision of this Convention, with the
exceptions provided for in paragraphs 2 and 3.

2

Any State or the European Union may, at the time of signature or when depositing its
instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession, by a declaration addressed to
the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, declare that it reserves the right not to apply
or to apply only in specific cases or conditions the provisions laid down in:
–
–
–
–
–

Article 30, paragraph 2;
Article 44, paragraphs 1.e, 3 and 4;
Article 55, paragraph 1 in respect of Article 35 regarding minor offences;
Article 58 in respect of Articles 37, 38 and 39;
Article 59.

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3

Any State or the European Union may, at the time of signature or when depositing its
instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession, by a declaration addressed to
the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, declare that it reserves the right to provide fornon-criminal sanctions, instead of criminal sanctions, for the behaviours referred to in
Articles 33 and 34.

4

Any Party may wholly or partly withdraw a reservation by means of a declaration addressed to
the Secretary General of the Council of Europe. This declaration shall become effective as
from its date of receipt by the Secretary General.
Article 79 – Validity and review of reservations

1

Reservations referred to in Article 78, paragraphs 2 and 3, shall be valid for a period of five
years from the day of the entry into force of this Convention in respect of the Party concerned.
However, such reservations may be renewed for periods of the same duration.

2

Eighteen months before the date of expiry of the reservation, the Secretariat General of theCouncil of Europe shall give notice of that expiry to the Party concerned. No later than threemonths before the expiry, the Party shall notify the Secretary General that it is upholding,amending or withdrawing its reservation. In the absence of a notification by the Party
concerned, the Secretariat General shall inform that Party that its reservation is considered tohave been extended automatically for a period of six months. Failure by the Party concerned
to notify its intention to uphold or modify its reservation before the expiry of that period shallcause the reservation to lapse.

3

If a Party makes a reservation in conformity with Article 78, paragraphs 2 and 3, it shallprovide, before its renewal or upon request, an explanation to GREVIO, on the grounds
justifying its continuance.
Article 80 – Denunciation

1

Any Party may, at any time, denounce this Convention by means of a notification addressedto the Secretary General of the Council of Europe.

2

Such denunciation shall become effective on the first day of the month following the expirationof a period of three months after the date of receipt of the notification by the Secretary
General.
Article 81 – Notification
The Secretary General of the Council of Europe shall notify the member States of the Councilof Europe, the non-member States which have participated in its elaboration, any signatory,
any Party, the European Union, and any State invited to accede to this Convention of:aany signature;b

the deposit of any instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession;c

any date of entry into force of this Convention in accordance with Articles 75 and 76;

dany amendment adopted in accordance with Article 72 and the date on which such an
amendment enters into force;e

any reservation and withdrawal of reservation made in pursuance of Article 78;

f

any denunciation made in pursuance of the provisions of Article 80;
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CETS 210 – Violence against women and domestic violence, 11.V.2011__________________________________________________________________________________
gany other act, notification or communication relating to this Convention.

In witness whereof the undersigned, being duly authorised thereto, have signed thisConvention.
Done at Istanbul, this 11th day of May 2011, in English and in French, both texts being
equally authentic, in a single copy which shall be deposited in the archives of the Council ofEurope. The Secretary General of the Council of Europe shall transmit certified copies to eachmember State of the Council of Europe, to the non-member States which have participated in
the elaboration of this Convention, to the European Union and to any State invited to accede
to this Convention.

25