Stop gender, stand for family – an international petition against the adoption of Istanbul Convention by the European Union [VIDEO]

Ordo Iuris

The new European Commission declared ratification of the ideological Istanbul Convention one of its top priorities. The document undermines the identity and autonomy of the family, limits parental rights and requires that the authorities eradicate "traditions and customs" regarding the roles of men and women while promoting "non-stereotyped" gender roles. Once the document is ratified, the UE will extend its powers without any basis in the treaties, being able to interfere with the field of family life. That is why civil society organizations from 11 EU member states initiate an opposition movement aimed at protecting family and state sovereignty.

The Istanbul Convention is a document that strikes the foundations of legal systems in many EU member states. It undermines the autonomy and identity of the family and limits the right to raise children in accordance with parents own beliefs. Without any substantial basis it orders the authorities to "eradicate" traditions and customs regarding the roles of men and women. The objective concept of sex is replaced by a vague term‘gender’, which is based on subjective feelings regarding sexuality. By weakening most basic social institutions, the convention eliminates barriers protecting against violence.

The official title of the document and part of its provisions suggest that it is aimed at combating violence against women and domestic violence. In fact, the convention adds nothing new in this respect to the legislation of most EU member states, except purely ideological constructs. Contrary to the facts, its authors see the sources of violence in complementary and diverse roles of men and women. At the same time, the real causes of violence, which, according to scientific studies, include drug and alcohol addictions, as well as conflicts related to family breakdown, have been completely ignored.

The EU Commissioner for Equality, Helena Dalli, in a letter addressed to the Ordo Iuris Institute in early June, left no doubt that the convention replaces the objective notion of sex with a fundamentally different subjective category of ‘gender’. Therefore it might lead to questioning of the legal identity of most basic social institutions. Including marriage. The act also refers directly to the category of "gender identity", which is entirely based on one’s own feelings. The convention also strikes at the right of parents to raise children according to their beliefs - its authors demand the introduction of compulsory education about "non-stereotypical gender roles" in curricula at all levels.

In March, the ratification of the Convention by the EU was announced in the gender equality strategy proposed by the EU commission. The subject matter of the convention clearly goes beyond EU competences. Nevertheless, if the Convention was adopted, it would have priority over non-constitutional legislation of the Member States. Partial application of its provisions would not be possible, as numerous countries that ratified the document are currently doing. In addition, countries that have not ratified the document, such as Bulgaria, Slovakia, Hungary, Lithuania and Latvia - will be subjected to even more pressure to adopt it. It is particularly striking that constitutional orders of numerous EU member states, which clearly exclude ratification of the convention, are openly disregarded by the commission.

That is why civil society organizations from Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Spain and Hungary are initiating an opposition movement that defends family and state sovereignty. The joint international petition to the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, asking to officially withdraw from the plan to ratify the Istanbul Convention is available at stopgenderconvention.org.