Date: 2025-06-10Category: Not ApplicableState: Union GovernmentCountry: Europe
Council Decision (EU) 2025/1168 of 5 June 2025 on the position to be taken on behalf of the European Union within the Committee of the Parties to the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence, at its 18th meeting, on the recommendations and conclusions addressed to certain Parties on their implementation of that Convention, with regard to matters related to judicial cooperation in criminal matters, asylum and non-refoulement
## Report on Council Decision (EU) 2025/1168 Regarding the Istanbul Convention
**1. Executive Summary:**
This report analyzes Council Decision (EU) 2025/1168, focusing on the European Union's position within the Committee of the Parties to the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence (Istanbul Convention). This decision outlines the EU's stance of *not objecting* to a series of recommendations and conclusions addressed to ten Parties (Albania, Austria, Denmark, Finland, Monaco, Montenegro, Spain, Sweden, San Marino, and Slovenia) regarding their implementation of the Istanbul Convention. These recommendations and conclusions, resulting from the first thematic evaluation round of GREVIO (Group of experts on action against violence against women and domestic violence), relate to judicial cooperation in criminal matters, asylum, and non-refoulement. The core purpose of this decision is to establish the EU's position on these envisaged acts, ensuring consistency with Union law and policies.
**2. Introduction:**
This report provides an informative overview of Council Decision (EU) 2025/1168 based solely on the information provided in the policy text. The report aims to outline the decision's objectives, background, key provisions, affected stakeholders, inferred implementation aspects, and expected outcomes.
**3. Policy Overview:**
* **Core Objective(s):**
* To define the position to be taken on behalf of the European Union within the Committee of the Parties to the Istanbul Convention regarding recommendations and conclusions addressed to specific Parties. This position, as explicitly stated, is *not to object* to the adoption of those recommendations and conclusions.
* To ensure consistency between the envisaged acts (recommendations and conclusions) and Union law, specifically in matters of judicial cooperation in criminal matters, asylum, and non-refoulement.
**4. Background and Rationale:**
As a new policy, this decision addresses the need for the EU to formally establish its position on the recommendations and conclusions arising from GREVIO's first thematic evaluation round concerning the implementation of the Istanbul Convention by several Parties. The EU's prior conclusion of the Istanbul Convention (EU 2023/1075 and EU 2023/1076) necessitates a defined stance on the subsequent evaluations and recommendations to ensure a cohesive approach to combating violence against women and domestic violence within the Union's sphere of competence. The recommendations, targeting specific shortcomings in the implementation of the Convention by individual countries, require the EU to formally express its position within the Committee of the Parties.
**5. Key Provisions:**
This Council Decision formally establishes the EU's position as *not objecting* to the adoption of the following recommendations and conclusions:
* **Recommendations (ICCP20252prov - ICCP20259prov):** Directed at Albania, Austria, Denmark, Finland, Monaco, Montenegro, Spain, and Sweden, focused on "improving trust by delivering support, protection, and justice on the basis of the Istanbul Convention." These recommendations address articles of the Istanbul Convention including (but not limited to) Articles 3, 7, 8, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, 18, 20, 22, 25, 31, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53 and 56. Specific examples include:
* Ensuring sufficient and sustainable funding for policies combating violence against women (Albania).
* Adopting and aligning the definition of domestic violence (Austria).
* Ensuring appropriate allocation of funds for domestic violence shelters (Denmark).
* Developing a long-term national strategy (Finland).
* Adopting a definition of domestic violence that aligns with the Convention (Monaco).
* Setting up and expanding programs for perpetrators of domestic violence (Montenegro).
* Teaching children about the central role of consent in sexual relationships (Spain).
* Considering the needs of victims exposed to intersectional discrimination (Sweden).
* **Conclusions (ICCP202510prov - ICCP202511prov):** Directed at San Marino and Slovenia, focusing on the implementation of previous recommendations.
* Supporting civil society organizations (San Marino).
* Assigning the role of the coordinating body to fully institutionalized entities and ensuring the necessary human and financial resources (Slovenia).
The decision explicitly states that these recommendations and conclusions relate to judicial cooperation in criminal matters, asylum, and non-refoulement, areas covered by the Union acquis. The Council Decision emphasizes that Member States retain competence in certain areas (internal organization and administration of their justice systems, the organization and delivery of healthcare services and medical care, the content of teaching and the organization of education systems; and family law) despite the EU's overall position.
**6. Target Audience and Stakeholders:**
The primary target audience and stakeholders include:
* **The Committee of the Parties** to the Istanbul Convention, as the EU's position directly influences their proceedings.
* **The Parties (Albania, Austria, Denmark, Finland, Monaco, Montenegro, Spain, Sweden, San Marino, and Slovenia)** who are the recipients of the recommendations and conclusions.
* **The European Commission**, responsible for proposing the EU's position.
* **EU Member States**, particularly regarding matters where competence is shared or retained at the national level.
* **Victims of violence against women and domestic violence** in the countries addressed by the recommendations and conclusions, as the implementation of these measures aims to improve their protection and access to justice.
* **Womens rights organizations and NGOs** operating in the relevant countries, as many recommendations focus on the collaboration with and funding of these organizations.
**7. Implementation Aspects (Inferred):**
* **Responsible Agency/Bodies:**
* The **Committee of the Parties** to the Istanbul Convention is responsible for adopting the recommendations and conclusions.
* **GREVIO** is responsible for monitoring the implementation of the Convention and generating the reports upon which the recommendations are based.
* The **European Commission** is responsible for proposing the EU's position.
* Individual **Parties** are responsible for implementing the recommendations directed at them.
* **Timelines/Procedures:**
* The recommendations differentiate between measures to be taken as soon as possible (with a three-year reporting requirement) and those of lesser immediacy.
* Parties are to report back to the Committee on the measures taken within the specific areas of the Convention at the end of a three-year period.
**8. Expected Outcomes / Impact of Changes:**
The intended outcome of this Council Decision is to facilitate the adoption of the recommendations and conclusions by the Committee of the Parties. By signaling the EU's support (through non-objection), the decision likely aims to encourage the Parties to implement the recommendations effectively. This is expected to lead to:
* Improved implementation of the Istanbul Convention in the countries targeted by the recommendations and conclusions.
* Enhanced protection and support for victims of violence against women and domestic violence.
* Greater alignment of national laws and policies with the standards of the Istanbul Convention and the Union acquis.
* Strengthened judicial cooperation in criminal matters, asylum procedures, and non-refoulement practices across the involved nations.
**9. Conclusion:**
Council Decision (EU) 2025/1168 plays a crucial role in the EU's commitment to preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence. By formally defining its position on the recommendations and conclusions arising from GREVIO's evaluation, the EU contributes to the effective implementation of the Istanbul Convention across Europe. While the decision focuses on not objecting to the recommendations, it indirectly underscores the EU's commitment to the Convention's principles and its expectation that Parties will take concrete steps to improve their respective systems for protecting and supporting victims of violence. The impact of this decision will be reflected in the actions taken by the targeted Parties and the resulting improvements in the lives of women and girls affected by violence.
Key Entities Referenced
European Union: A political and economic union of member states located primarily in Europe. The document concerns the position to be taken on behalf of the European Union within the Committee of the Parties.
Council Decision EU 2025/1168: Council Decision on the position to be taken on behalf of the European Union within the Committee of the Parties to the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence.
5 June 2025: Date of the Council Decision EU 2025/1168.
Committee of the Parties: The Committee of the Parties to the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence, at its 18th meeting.
Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence: An international treaty focused on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence.
the Convention: Referring to the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence.
Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union: A foundational treaty of the European Union.
Article 78(2): Article of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.
Article 82(2): Article of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.
Article 84: Article of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.
Article 218(9): Article of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.
European Commission: The executive branch of the European Union.
Council Decision EU 2023/1075: Council Decision on the conclusion, on behalf of the European Union, of the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence with regard to institutions and public administration of the Union.
Council Decision EU 2023/1076: Council Decision on the conclusion, on behalf of the European Union, of the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence with regard to matters related to judicial cooperation in criminal matters, asylum and nonrefoulement.
1 October 2023: Date the Convention entered into force for the Union.
Article 66(1): Article of the Convention, related to monitoring implementation by GREVIO.
Group of experts on action against violence against women and domestic violence (GREVIO): An expert group responsible for monitoring the implementation of the Convention by the Parties to the Convention.
Article 68(1)(1): Article of the Convention related to GREVIO's report and conclusions.
Article 68(1)(2): Article of the Convention related to recommendations by the Committee of the Parties.
Article 68(3): Article of the Convention related to the evaluation procedures, divided into thematic evaluation rounds.
Building Trust by Delivering Support, Protection and Justice: The first thematic evaluation round of the Convention.
Articles 3, 7, 8, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, 18, 20, 22, 25, 31, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53 and 56: Articles of the Convention addressed in the first thematic evaluation round.
17 December 2024: Date of the Committee's 17th meeting.
ICCP2024/10 rev. 1: Document containing GREVIO's reports adopted as part of the first thematic evaluation round.
1 June 2023: Date of Council Decision EU 2023/1075 and Council Decision EU 2023/1076.
18th meeting: The upcoming 18th meeting of the Committee of the Parties, expected to occur on 5-6 June 2025.
ICCP2025/2prov: Document containing Recommendations on improving trust by delivering support, protection and justice on the basis of the Istanbul Convention by Albania.
ICCP2025/3prov: Document containing Recommendations on improving trust by delivering support, protection and justice on the basis of the Istanbul Convention by Austria.
ICCP2025/4prov: Document containing Recommendations on improving trust by delivering support, protection and justice on the basis of the Istanbul Convention by Denmark.
ICCP2025/5prov: Document containing Recommendations on improving trust by delivering support, protection and justice on the basis of the Istanbul Convention by Finland.
ICCP2025/6prov: Document containing Recommendations on improving trust by delivering support, protection and justice on the basis of the Istanbul Convention by Monaco.
ICCP2025/7prov: Document containing Recommendations on improving trust by delivering support, protection and justice on the basis of the Istanbul Convention by Montenegro.
ICCP2025/8prov: Document containing Recommendations on improving trust by delivering support, protection and justice on the basis of the Istanbul Convention by Spain.
ICCP2025/9prov: Document containing Recommendations on improving trust by delivering support, protection and justice on the basis of the Istanbul Convention by Sweden.
ICCP2025/10prov: Document containing Conclusions on the implementation of recommendations in respect of San Marino adopted by the Committee of the Parties.
ICCP2025/11prov: Document containing Conclusions on the implementation of recommendations in respect of Slovenia adopted by the Committee of the Parties.
Albania: A country subject to draft recommendations based on the Istanbul Convention.
Austria: A country subject to draft recommendations based on the Istanbul Convention.
Denmark: A country subject to draft recommendations based on the Istanbul Convention.
Finland: A country subject to draft recommendations based on the Istanbul Convention.
Monaco: A country subject to draft recommendations based on the Istanbul Convention.
Montenegro: A country subject to draft recommendations based on the Istanbul Convention.
Spain: A country subject to draft recommendations based on the Istanbul Convention.
Sweden: A country subject to draft recommendations based on the Istanbul Convention.
San Marino: A country subject to draft conclusions based on the Istanbul Convention.
Slovenia: A country subject to draft conclusions based on the Istanbul Convention.
Council Directive 2003/86/EC: Council Directive on the right to family reunification.
Directive 2012/29/EU: Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing minimum standards on the rights, support and protection of victims of crime.
Directive EU 2024/1346: Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council laying down standards for the reception of applicants for international protection.
Directive EU 2024/1385: Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on combating violence against women and domestic violence.
Regulation EU 2024/1348: Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing a common procedure for international protection in the Union and repealing Directive 2013/32/EU.
Articles 49 and 50: Articles of the Convention, related to law enforcement.
Article 11: Article of the Convention, related to data collection.
Article 20: Article of the Convention, related to healthcare services.
Article 14: Article of the Convention, related to education.
Article 31: Article of the Convention, related to family law.
Article 8: Article of the Convention, related to funding.
Article 12: Article of the Convention, related to awareness raising.
Article 15: Article of the Convention, related to training.
Article 16: Article of the Convention, related to perpetrator programmes.
Article 22: Article of the Convention, related to support services.
Article 25: Article of the Convention, related to sexual violence referral centers.
Article 48: Article of the Convention, related to conciliation in criminal cases.
Article 51: Article of the Convention, related to risk assessment procedures.
Article 52: Article of the Convention, related to barring orders.
Article 53: Article of the Convention, related to protection orders.
Article 56: Article of the Convention, related to implementation of protection measures.
Article 3: Article of the Convention, related to definition of domestic violence.
Article 7: Article of the Convention, related to action plans/strategic policy documents.
Article 18: Article of the Convention, related to multi-agency cooperation.
Articles 9 and 10: Articles of the Convention, related to civil society organizations and national coordinating body.
Article 59: Article of the Convention, related to the residence status of victims of violence against women.
Article 55: Article of the Convention, related to ex officio prosecution of marital rape.
Protocol No 21: Protocol on the position of the United Kingdom and Ireland in respect of the area of freedom, security and justice.
Ireland: Country not taking part in the adoption of this Decision.
Protocol No 22: Protocol on the position of Denmark.
Denmark: Country not taking part in the adoption of this Decision.
Article 67: Article of the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence, regarding the establishment of the Committee of the Parties.
D. KLIMCZAK: The President of the Council.
Luxembourg: Location where the decision was made.
Official Journal EN
of the European Union L series
2025/1168 10.6.2025
COUNCIL DECISION (EU) 2025/1168
of 5 June 2025
on the position to be taken on behalf of the European Union within the Committee of the Parties to
the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and
domestic violence, at its 18th meeting, on the recommendations and conclusions addressed to certain
Parties on their implementation of that Convention, with regard to matters related to judicial
cooperation in criminal matters, asylum and non-refoulement
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 78(2), Article 82(2) and
Article 84, in conjunction with Article 218(9) thereof,
Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission,
Whereas:
(1) The Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence
(the ‘Convention’) was concluded by the Union by means of Council Decision (EU) 2023/1075(1) with regard to
institutions and public administration of the Union, and by means of Council Decision (EU) 2023/1076(2) with
regard to matters related to judicial cooperation in criminal matters, asylum and non-refoulement, insofar as such
matters fall within the exclusive competence of the Union, and entered into force for the Union on 1 October 2023.
(2) Pursuant to Article 66(1) of the Convention, the Group of experts on action against violence against women and
domestic violence (‘GREVIO’) is to monitor the implementation of the Convention by the Parties to the Convention
(the ‘Parties’). In accordance with Article 68(11) of the Convention, GREVIO is to adopt its report and conclusions
concerning the measures taken by the Party concerned to implement the provisions of the Convention.
(3) The Committee of the Parties (the ‘Committee’) is able to adopt recommendations addressed to the Party concerned,
in accordance with Article 68(12) of the Convention, on the basis of the report and conclusions of GREVIO. Such
recommendations are to differentiate between measures to be taken as soon as possible, with a requirement to report
back to the Committee on steps taken in that regard within a three-year period, and measures which, while
important, do not carry the same level of immediacy. At the end of that three-year period, the Party concerned is to
report back to the Committee on the measures taken, within 10 specific areas of the Convention. On the basis of
that report, and any additional information, the Committee is to adopt conclusions on the implementation of those
recommendations, prepared by the secretariat of the Committee.
(4) Pursuant to Article 68(3) of the Convention, the evaluation procedures following GREVIO’s initial baseline
evaluation procedure are to be divided into rounds (the ‘thematic evaluation rounds’). The first thematic evaluation
round is entitled ‘Building Trust by Delivering Support, Protection and Justice’ and addresses 20 articles of the
Convention, namely Articles 3, 7, 8, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, 18, 20, 22, 25, 31, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53 and 56. At its
17th meeting, on 17 December 2024, the Committee adopted a decision on the recommendations to be adopted by
the Committee in light of GREVIO’s reports adopted as part of the first thematic evaluation round contained in
document IC-CP(2024)10 rev.
(1) Council Decision (EU) 2023/1075 of 1 June 2023 on the conclusion, on behalf of the European Union, of the Council of Europe
Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence with regard to institutions and public
administration of the Union (OJ L 143 I, 2.6.2023, p. 1, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2023/1075/oj).
(2) Council Decision (EU) 2023/1076 of 1 June 2023 on the conclusion, on behalf of the European Union, of the Council of Europe
Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence with regard to matters related to judicial
cooperation in criminal matters, asylum and non-refoulement (OJ L 143 I, 2.6.2023, p. 4, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2023/
1076/oj).
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OJ L, 10.6.2025
(5) The Committee, during its 18th meeting on 5-6 June 2025, is expected to adopt eight draft recommendations based
on the first thematic evaluation round and two draft conclusions, on the implementation of the Convention by 10 of
the Parties (respectively, the ‘draft recommendations’ and the ‘draft conclusions’, and jointly the ‘envisaged acts’):
— Recommendations on improving trust by delivering support, protection and justice on the basis of the Istanbul
Convention by Albania, contained in document IC-CP(2025)2-prov,
— Recommendations on improving trust by delivering support, protection and justice on the basis of the Istanbul
Convention by Austria, contained in document IC-CP(2025)3-prov,
— Recommendations on improving trust by delivering support, protection and justice on the basis of the Istanbul
Convention by Denmark, contained in document IC-CP(2025)4-prov;
— Recommendations on improving trust by delivering support, protection and justice on the basis of the Istanbul
Convention by Finland, contained in document IC-CP(2025)5-prov,
— Recommendations on improving trust by delivering support, protection and justice on the basis of the Istanbul
Convention by Monaco, contained in document IC-CP(2025)6-prov,
— Recommendations on improving trust by delivering support, protection and justice on the basis of the Istanbul
Convention by Montenegro, contained in document IC-CP(2025)7-prov,
— Recommendations on improving trust by delivering support, protection and justice on the basis of the Istanbul
Convention by Spain, contained in document IC-CP(2025)8-prov,
— Recommendations on improving trust by delivering support, protection and justice on the basis of the Istanbul
Convention by Sweden, contained in document IC-CP(2025)9-prov;
— Conclusions on the implementation of recommendations in respect of San Marino adopted by the Committee of
the Parties, contained in document IC-CP(2025)10-prov, and
— Conclusions on the implementation of recommendations in respect of Slovenia adopted by the Committee of the
Parties, contained in document IC-CP(2025)11-prov.
(6) The envisaged acts concern the implementation of provisions of the Convention relating to judicial cooperation in
criminal matters, such as matters relating to the protection and support of victims of violence against women and
domestic violence. The draft conclusions concern the implementation of provisions of the Convention relating to
asylum and non-refoulement. Those matters are covered by the Union acquis, in particular Council Directive
2003/86/EC(3), Directives 2012/29/EU(4), (EU) 2024/1346(5) and (EU) 2024/1385(6) of the European Parliament
and of the Council, and Regulation (EU) 2024/1348 of the European Parliament and of the Council(7). The
envisaged acts will have legal effects, as they are capable of decisively influencing the content of Union law in that
they could affect the interpretation of relevant provisions of the Convention in the future. It is therefore appropriate
to establish the position to be taken on the Union’s behalf within the Committee for matters related to judicial
cooperation in criminal matters, asylum and non-refoulement.
(3) Council Directive 2003/86/EC of 22 September 2003 on the right to family reunification (OJ L 251, 3.10.2003, p. 12, ELI: http://
data.europa.eu/eli/dir/2003/86/oj).
(4) Directive 2012/29/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 October 2012 establishing minimum standards on the
rights, support and protection of victims of crime, and replacing Council Framework Decision 2001/220/JHA (OJ L 315,
14.11.2012, p. 57, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dir/2012/29/oj).
(5) Directive (EU) 2024/1346 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 May 2024 laying down standards for the reception
of applicants for international protection (OJ L, 2024/1346, 22.5.2024, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dir/2024/1346/oj).
(6) Directive (EU) 2024/1385 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 May 2024 on combating violence against women
and domestic violence (OJ L, 2024/1385, 24.5.2024, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dir/2024/1385/oj).
(7) Regulation (EU) 2024/1348 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 May 2024 establishing a common procedure for
international protection in the Union and repealing Directive 2013/32/EU (OJ L, 2024/1348, 22.5.2024, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/
eli/reg/2024/1348/oj).
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OJ L, 10.6.2025
(7) It should be noted that recommendations relating to certain articles of the Convention are only partly covered by the
Union’s competence. Regarding those articles, this decision should be without prejudice to Member States’
competence, so that, for example: as regards recommendations on Articles 49 and 50 of the Convention, this
decision should be without prejudice to Member States’ competence for the internal organisation and administration
of their justice systems; as regards recommendations on Articles 11 and 20 of the Convention, this decision should
be without prejudice to Member States’ competence for the organisation and delivery of healthcare services and
medical care; as regards recommendations on Article 14 of the Convention, this decision should be without
prejudice to Member States’ competence for the content of teaching and the organisation of education systems; and
as regards recommendations on Article 31 of the Convention, this decision should be without prejudice to Member
States’ competence in the area of family law.
(8) As regards Albania, the draft recommendations include the need to: ensure that relevant policies and measures to
prevent and combat all forms of violence against women are provided with sufficient and sustainable funding,
including through transparent procedures to secure funding for women’s rights organisations (Article 8 of the
Convention); promote awareness-raising campaigns or programmes and regularly assess their impact (Article 12 of
the Convention); ensure training for relevant professionals and follow-up on such training (Article 15 of the
Convention); expand the existing perpetrator programmes and introduce programmes aimed specifically at
perpetrators of sexual violence (Article 16 of the Convention); ensure that victims of violence have access to
comprehensive healthcare services (Article 20 of the Convention); increase the funding for, and the number of,
available services for women victims, especially for women with special needs (Article 20 of the Convention); ensure
sufficient specialist support services to all women victims and their children, irrespective of their willingness to
report the violence, and ensure that national helplines receive funding (Article 22 of the Convention); ensure that
victims of sexual violence have access to forensic examination, not conditional on their willingness to report the
crime, and that forensic evidence is properly stored (Article 25 of the Convention); take measures to abolish
mandatory conciliation in all criminal cases concerning violence against women (Article 48 of the Convention);
enhance the capacity, knowledge and response of law-enforcement officers in order to achieve a timely and
victim-sensitive response and take measures to improve reporting by women victims (Articles 49 and 50 of the
Convention); ensure that risk assessment procedures are applied in cases concerning all forms of violence covered by
the Convention and in coordination with all relevant agencies (Article 51 of the Convention); make better use of
emergency barring orders and monitor and enforce such orders (Article 52 of the Convention); ensure that
protection orders are available and accessible to all victims, and enforce and monitor such orders, including through
sanctions for breaches (Article 53 of the Convention); and evaluate the implementation of protection measures and
ensure that they are in line with the Convention (Article 56 of the Convention). As those draft recommendations are
in line with the Union’s policies and objectives in the area of judicial cooperation in criminal matters and do not
raise any concerns with respect to Union law, the position of the Union should be to not object to their adoption.
(9) As regards Austria, the draft recommendations include the need to: adopt and align the definition of ‘domestic
violence’ (Article 3 of the Convention); develop a long-term comprehensive action plan/strategic policy document
on all forms of violence covered by the Convention (Article 7 of the Convention); adapt data categories for use by
the justice sector and collect data on the number of women and girls who contact social services (Article 11 of the
Convention); step up efforts to eradicate prejudice and gender stereotypes in Austrian society through prevention
measures, including awareness-raising campaigns or programmes, inform victims of the availability of support
services and evaluate their impact (Article 12 of the Convention); ensure that relevant professionals receive
appropriate training (Article 15 of the Convention); ensure that victims have access to support services, including
housing, and ensure the issuance of forensic reports documenting injuries (Article 20 of the Convention); ensure
that places in shelters are available in sufficient numbers across the country (Article 22 of the Convention); set up
sexual violence referral centres across the country and ensure effective support to victims of sexual violence
(Article 25 of the Convention); reinforce information sharing between relevant competent authorities in cases
concerning child custody and visitation rights (Article 31 of the Convention); and ensure the use of protection
orders and avoid gaps between barring orders and protection orders (Articles 53 of the Convention). As those draft
recommendations are in line with the Union’s policies and objectives in the area of judicial cooperation in criminal
matters and do not raise any concerns with respect to Union law, the position of the Union should be to not object
to their adoption.
(10) As regards Denmark, the draft recommendations include the need to: ensure that relevant definitions of forms of
violence against women align with the Convention (Article 3 of the Convention); develop a long-term national
strategy in line with the Convention (Article 7 of the Convention); ensure appropriate allocation of funds, including
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OJ L, 10.6.2025
resources for domestic violence shelters (Article 8 of the Convention); ensure that data collected are disaggregated
and confidentiality is guaranteed (Article 11 of the Convention); prioritise a gender-sensitive approach in preventive
initiatives (Article 12 of the Convention); ensure the provision of systematic initial and in-service training for
relevant professionals (Article 15 of the Convention); set-up institutionalised structures for cooperation to ensure
effective multi-agency cooperation (Article 18 of the Convention); ensure access to psychological counselling, quality
standards, accessibility and financial sustainability for shelters, and ensure necessary support for victims of sexual
violence (Articles 22 and 25 of the Convention); raise awareness among criminal justice actors about new criminal
legislation (Articles 49 and 50 of the Convention); ensure that risk assessment is conducted in coordination with
relevant actors (Article 51 of the Convention); increase the use of emergency barring orders and protection orders to
monitor compliance ratings and ensure sanctions in cases of breach (Articles 52 and 53 of the Convention); and
ensure the proper implementation of victim protection measures in investigations and judicial proceedings
(Article 56 of the Convention). As those draft recommendations are in line with the Union’s policies and objectives
in the area of judicial cooperation in criminal matters and do not raise any concerns with respect to Union law, the
position of the Union should be to not object to their adoption.
(11) As regards Finland, the draft recommendations include the need to: develop a long-term national strategy to ensure
a comprehensive, coordinated approach (Article 7 of the Convention); ensure sufficient public funding and
sustainable financing mechanisms for non-governmental organisations providing specialist support to victims
(Article 8 of the Convention); establish standardised data categories and harmonise data collection systems
(Article 11 of the Convention); regularly conduct awareness-raising campaigns (Article 12 of the Convention);
ensure the provision of systematic training for relevant professionals (Article 15 of the Convention); establish
perpetrator programmes for domestic violence (Article 16 of the Convention); establish institutionalised
multi-agency coordination structures among relevant actors (Article 18 of the Convention); establish support
services to facilitate victims’ recovery and independence (Article 20 of the Convention); increase both the number of,
and access to, shelters (Article 22 of the Convention); ensure the geographical distribution of rape crisis centres to
ensure support to all victims of sexual violence (Article 25 of the Convention); ensure that mediation does not
negatively impact criminal investigations nor hamper victims’ access to justice (Article 48 of the Convention); ensure
that law enforcement services receive relevant training on responding to and investigating, in a timely and adequate
manner, cases of violence against women (Articles 49 and 50 of the Convention); take measures to establish
a standardised risk assessment mechanism applied systematically (Article 51 of the Convention); and increase the use
of emergency barring orders and protection orders and strengthen the monitoring of such orders (Articles 52 and 53
of the Convention). As those draft recommendations are in line with the Union’s policies and objectives in the area
of judicial cooperation in criminal matters and do not raise any concerns with respect to Union law, the position of
the Union should be to not object to their adoption.
(12) As regards Monaco, the draft recommendations on its implementation of the Convention include the need to: adopt
a definition of domestic violence that aligns with the Convention (Article 3 of the Convention); develop a long-term
overarching strategy to achieve a comprehensive and coordinated policy approach (Article 7 of the Convention);
continue to develop the collection of data on all forms of violence against women covered by the Convention
(Article 11 of the Convention); expand measures to prevent domestic violence to include other forms of violence
covered by the Convention (Article 12 of the Convention): pursue measures to raise awareness of violence against
women in schools (Article 14 of the Convention); set up programmes for perpetrators of violence (Article 16 of the
Convention); set up a national helpline for women victims of violence and continue to develop specialist services for
victims of violence covered by the Convention (Article 22 of the Convention); set up a rape crisis and sexual violence
referral centre (Article 25 of the Convention); ensure that professionals involved in criminal proceedings have
sufficient expertise and receive gender-sensitive training (Articles 49 and 50 of the Convention); standardise the
practice of coordinated risk assessment to relevant services on all forms of violence covered by the Convention
(Article 51 of the Convention); and ensure that the rights of victims are protected during investigations and judicial
proceedings (Article 56 of the Convention). As those draft recommendations are in line with the Union’s policies
and objectives in the area of judicial cooperation in criminal matters and do not raise any concerns with respect to
Union law, the position of the Union should be to not object to their adoption.
(13) As regards Montenegro, the draft recommendations on its implementation include the need to: ensure appropriate
human and financial resources for policies, measures and legislation aimed at preventing and combating violence
against women, and ensure sustainable funding for non-governmental organisations (Article 8 of the Convention);
ensure the collection and disaggregation of data by all relevant stakeholders and harmonise the collection of data
(Article 11 of the Convention); step up efforts to implement regular preventive measures, conduct awareness-raising
campaigns and highlight the increased risk of violence faced by victims of intersectional discrimination (Article 12 of
the Convention); ensure initial and in-service training regarding violence against women for all relevant professionals
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(Article 15 of the Convention); set up and expand programmes for perpetrators of domestic violence and
perpetrators of sexual violence (Article 16 of the Convention); ensure that healthcare providers give priority to
women victims of violence against women and domestic violence and respect their privacy (Article 20 of the
Convention); boost multi-agency cooperation (Article 18 of the Convention); increase the availability of specialist
support services for victims (Article 22 of the Convention); set up rape crisis centres throughout the country
(Article 25 of the Convention); ensure information sharing on violence against women between relevant courts in
civil proceedings (Article 31 of the Convention); investigate and prosecute acts of violence against women and
domestic violence effectively and in a timely manner, including by ensuring that the relevant professionals have the
expertise required (Articles 49 and 50 of the Convention); ensure that risk assessments are systematically carried out
in cases of domestic violence in collaboration with relevant competent authorities (Article 51 of the Convention);
ensure that emergency barring orders are available to all victims of violence against women, including children
(Article 52 of the Convention); ensure that protection orders are effectively monitored and breaches sanctioned
(Article 53 of the Convention); and ensure the effective use of existing protection measures and introduce additional
protection measures in line with the Convention (Article 56 of the Convention). As those draft recommendations
are in line with the Union’s policies and objectives in the area of judicial cooperation in criminal matters and do not
raise any concerns with respect to Union law, the position of the Union should be to not object to their adoption.
(14) As regards Spain, the draft recommendations include the need to ensure implementation of existing policies to
prevent and combat violence against women and domestic violence, and involve non-governmental organisations in
policymaking and in the evaluation of policies and measures (Article 7 of the Convention); ensure that data collected
are disaggregated and harmonise data collection (Article 11 of the Convention); teach children about the central role
of consent in sexual relationships (Article 14 of the Convention); step up the training of all relevant professionals
(Article 15 of the Convention); improve the compliance of perpetrator programmes with the Convention (Article 16
of the Convention); set up multi-agency cooperation mechanisms with all relevant actors on all forms of violence
covered by the Convention and set up one-stop-shop services where appropriate (Article 18 of the Convention);
ensure that all victims of sexual violence have access to support services (Article 25 of the Convention); strengthen
information sharing between civil courts and criminal courts and boost measures to ensure that supervised visitation
facilities are sufficiently resourced (Article 31 of the Convention); address factors that prevent victims from reporting
and that lead to secondary victimisation (Articles 49 and 50 of the Convention); ensure that competent authorities
have access to emergency barring orders in line with the Convention (Article 52 of the Convention); and take
measures to properly address breaches of protection orders (Article 53 of the Convention). As those draft
recommendations are in line with the Union’s policies and objectives in the area of judicial cooperation in criminal
matters and do not raise any concerns with respect to Union law, the position of the Union should be to not object
to their adoption.
(15) As regards Sweden, the draft recommendations include the need to ensure that policies on violence against women:
consider the needs of victims exposed to intersectional discrimination, evaluate strategies to access their impact and
to apply a gendered understanding of violence against women (Articles 3 and 7 of the Convention); ensure
sustainable funding levels of women’s rights organisations that run specialist support services (Article 8 of the
Convention); harmonise the collection of data and ensure that data are disaggregated (Article 11 of the Convention);
ensure wider prevention measures for all forms of violence against women (Article 12 of the Convention); introduce
systematic training on all forms of violence covered by the Convention for relevant professionals, and an evaluation
of that training (Article 15 of the Convention); develop minimum standards for perpetrator programmes in line with
the Convention and ensure evaluation (Article 16 of the Convention); adopt coordination and cooperation
mechanisms among relevant agencies and, where possible, on the same premises (Article 18 of the Convention);
ensure that social services provide sufficient support and assistance to all victims, including support on practical
matters (Article 20 of the Convention); increase the availability of and ensure access to shelters for all victims and
their children (Article 22 of the Convention); ensure a sufficient number of rape crisis and/or sexual violence centres
throughout the country (Article 25 of the Convention); provide safe premises where supervised visits can take place
with trained professionals (Article 31 of the Convention); strengthen the capacity of the police to respond to and
investigate all forms of violence against women, including its digital manifestations, and take measures to encourage
reporting by women at risk of intersectional discrimination (Articles 49 and 50 of the Convention); ensure that risk
assessments are systematically carried out for victims and their children in a coordinated manner (Article 51 of the
Convention); and take measures to ensure that emergency barring orders, restraining and protection orders
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(‘non-contact orders for the joint home’) are issued swiftly with immediate effect, including for children, effectively
monitored and accompanied by appropriate sanctions (Articles 52 and 53 of the Convention). As those draft
recommendations are in line with the Union’s policies and objectives in the area of judicial cooperation in criminal
matters and do not raise any concerns with respect to Union law, the position of the Union should be to not object
to their adoption.
(16) As regards San Marino, the draft conclusions include the need to: support civil society organisations by ensuring
sustainable funding to set up cooperation mechanisms, and ensure that the national coordinating body coordinates
with civil society organisations (Articles 9 and 10 of the Convention); improve the collection of disaggregated data
on the basis of a common data-collection system and regularly conduct victimisation surveys and promote research
activities (Article 11 of the Convention); and comply with the requirements of Article 59 of the Convention on the
residence status of victims of violence against women (Article 59 of the Convention). As those draft conclusions are
in line with the Union’s policies and objectives in the areas of judicial cooperation in criminal matters, asylum and
non-refoulement, and do not raise any concerns with respect to Union law, the position of the Union should be to
not object to their adoption.
(17) As regards Slovenia, the draft conclusions include the need to: assign the role of the coordinating body to fully
institutionalised entities and ensure the necessary human and financial resources (Article 10 of the Convention);
ensure the comprehensive collection of data on all forms of violence under the Convention (Article 11 of the
Convention); strengthen information exchange between civil and criminal courts (Article 31 of the Convention);
ensure a prompt and appropriate response by law enforcement agencies to violence against women (Articles 49 and
50); and comply with the Convention on matters regarding ex officio prosecution of marital rape (Article 55 of the
Convention). As those draft conclusions are in line with the Union’s policies and objectives in the areas of judicial
cooperation in criminal matters and do not raise any concerns with respect to Union law, the position of the Union
should be to not object to their adoption.
(18) In accordance with Articles 1 and 2 of Protocol No 21 on the position of the United Kingdom and Ireland in respect
of the area of freedom, security and justice, annexed to the Treaty on European Union and to the Treaty on the
Functioning of the European Union, and without prejudice to Article 4 of that Protocol, Ireland is not taking part in
the adoption of this Decision and is not bound by it or subject to its application.
(19) In accordance with Articles 1 and 2 of Protocol No 22 on the position of Denmark, annexed to the Treaty on
European Union and to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, Denmark is not taking part in the
adoption of this Decision and is not bound by it or subject to its application,
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
Article 1
The position to be taken on behalf of the Union within the Committee of the Parties established under Article 67 of the
Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence, at its 18th
meeting, shall be to not object to the adoption of the following acts:
(1) Recommendations on improving trust by delivering support, protection and justice on the basis of the Istanbul
Convention by Albania, contained in document IC-CP(2025)2-prov;
(2) Recommendations on improving trust by delivering support, protection and justice on the basis of the Istanbul
Convention by Austria, contained in document IC-CP(2025)3-prov;
(3) Recommendations on improving trust by delivering support, protection and justice on the basis of the Istanbul
Convention by Denmark, contained in document IC-CP(2025)4-prov;
(4) Recommendations on improving trust by delivering support, protection and justice on the basis of the Istanbul
Convention by Finland, contained in document IC-CP(2025)5-prov;
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(5) Recommendations on improving trust by delivering support, protection and justice on the basis of the Istanbul
Convention by Monaco, contained in document IC-CP(2025)6-prov;
(6) Recommendations on improving trust by delivering support, protection and justice on the basis of the Istanbul
Convention by Montenegro, contained in document IC-CP(2025)7-prov;
(7) Recommendations on improving trust by delivering support, protection and justice on the basis of the Istanbul
Convention by Spain, contained in document IC-CP(2025)8-prov;
(8) Recommendations on improving trust by delivering support, protection and justice on the basis of the Istanbul
Convention by Sweden, contained in document IC-CP(2025)9-prov;
(9) Conclusions on the implementation of recommendations in respect of San Marino adopted by the Committee of the
Parties, contained in document IC-CP(2025)10-prov; and
(10) Conclusions on the implementation of recommendations in respect of Slovenia adopted by the Committee of the
Parties, contained in document IC-CP(2025)11-prov.
Article 2
This Decision shall enter into force on the date of its adoption.
Done at Luxembourg, 5 June 2025.
For the Council
The President
D. KLIMCZAK
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