Date: 2025-05-02Category: Not ApplicableState: Union GovernmentCountry: Europe
Council Decision (EU) 2025/819 of 28 April 2025 on the position to be taken on behalf of the European Union within the Committee of the Parties of the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence on the amendments to the Committee’s Rules of Procedure, with regard to matters related to institutions and public administration of the Union
## Policy Analysis Report: Council Decision (EU) 2025/819 Regarding Amendments to the Rules of Procedure of the Committee of the Parties of the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence
**1. Executive Summary:**
This report analyzes Council Decision (EU) 2025/819, which concerns the European Union's position regarding amendments to the Rules of Procedure of the Committee of the Parties (the Committee) of the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence (the Convention). This decision addresses the adaptation of the Committee's Rules of Procedure following the Union's accession to the Convention. The core objective is to ensure the continued effective functioning of the Committee while accommodating the EU's participation. Key findings indicate that the EU supports maintaining the existing voting rules, supplemented by a consensus clause and a review clause. The EU will not object to the adoption of the revised proposal for amendments.
**2. Introduction:**
This report aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of Council Decision (EU) 2025/819 based solely on the information provided in the official policy text. The report focuses on understanding the purpose, key provisions, and likely impact of the EU's position on the proposed amendments to the Committee's Rules of Procedure.
**3. Policy Overview:**
* **Amendment:** This decision concerns amendments to the Rules of Procedure of the Committee of the Parties of the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence.
* **Core Objective(s):** The core objective, as inferred from the text, is to facilitate the Union's participation in the Committee of the Parties to the Convention while ensuring the continued effective functioning of the Committee. This involves adapting the Committee's Rules of Procedure to reflect the EU's accession, particularly regarding voting rights.
**4. Background and Rationale:**
The reason for this specific amendment lies in the Union's accession to the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence. The text indicates that the existing Rules of Procedure, which grant each Party one vote, require adjustments to accommodate the Union's participation. This amendment aims to resolve the issue of voting rights within the Committee following the EU's accession, which was previously addressed through Council Decisions EU 2023/1075 and EU 2023/1076. The amendments address the EU's voting rights. The text indicates that the Committee sought to reach an agreement on the proposed amendments, but informal consultations were needed to find a solution agreeable to all members.
**5. Key Provisions / Changes:**
This decision focuses on *specific* changes introduced by the amendment text relating to the Rules of Procedure.
* **What specific part of the original policy is being changed:** The Rules of Procedure of the Committee of the Parties, specifically related to voting rights and the inclusion of participants who are not members of the Committee.
* **What the *new* rule/provision *is*, based *only* on the amendment text:** The revised proposal includes:
* Continuation of the current voting rules (each Party has one vote).
* A "consensus clause" stating that every effort should be made by the Committee to continue its practice of taking decisions by consensus.
* A "review clause" stating that the Committee is to examine the application of the rules within three years after adoption of the amendments.
* Deletion of the reference to the Union in Rule 2.2.b, which lists participants that are not members of the Committee, as it has become obsolete.
* **Explain the *difference* or the *effect* of this specific change:** The change introduces a formal commitment to consensus-based decision-making and a mechanism for reviewing the amended rules within three years. The continuation of the current voting rules means the Union effectively has one vote in addition to the votes of the Member States which are Parties. The deletion of the obsolete reference to the Union in Rule 2.2.b clarifies the status of the Union as a member, not just a participant.
**6. Target Audience and Stakeholders:**
Based on the provided text, the primary target audience and stakeholders are:
* The European Union institutions, particularly the Council and the Commission.
* Member States of the European Union who are also Parties to the Council of Europe Convention.
* The Committee of the Parties of the Council of Europe Convention.
* The Secretariat of the Committee.
**7. Implementation Aspects (Inferred):**
* **Responsible agency/bodies mentioned:** The Committee of the Parties and its Secretariat are responsible for implementing the amended Rules of Procedure. The Council of the European Union is responsible for establishing the EU's position.
* **Any timelines or procedures specified *in the text*?:** The text mentions a timeline for the adoption of the amendments (objections due by 30 April 2025) and a review clause requiring the Committee to examine the application of the rules within three years after adoption of the amendments.
* **Implementation aspects related *specifically to the changes*:** The consensus clause requires a shift in the Committee's approach to decision-making, emphasizing consensus-building before resorting to formal votes. The review clause necessitates planning for a review of the rules' application within three years.
**8. Expected Outcomes / Impact of Changes:**
The likely intended outcome of these specific changes introduced by the amendment text is to:
* Formalize the practice of consensus-based decision-making within the Committee.
* Ensure the Rules of Procedure are reviewed and adjusted as necessary after a period of implementation.
* Clarify the EU's role and status within the Committee after its accession.
* Facilitate the effective participation of the Union in the Committee's work.
* Avoid deadlock by retaining the current voting rules, while emphasizing consensus.
**9. Conclusion:**
Council Decision (EU) 2025/819 represents the EU's position on crucial amendments to the Rules of Procedure of the Committee of the Parties of the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence. The decision supports the continuation of existing voting rules, complemented by a consensus clause and a review clause. The EU's decision to not object to the adoption of the revised proposal signifies its commitment to the Convention and its willingness to adapt its participation within the Committee to ensure the continued effectiveness of the Convention's monitoring mechanism. The formalization of consensus-based decision making and the commitment to review the rules within three years could enhance the long-term effectiveness and adaptability of the Committee's operations.
Key Entities Referenced
European Union: A political and economic union of member states located primarily in Europe.
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, also known as the Istanbul Convention.
Committee of the Parties: A body of the monitoring mechanism of the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence.
Rules of Procedure: The rules of procedure of the Committee of the Parties.
Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union: One of the primary treaties 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 non-refoulement.
22 April 2024: Date when the Union established its position on the proposed amendments and proposed alternative amendments by means of Council Decisions EU 2024/1669 and EU 2024/1680.
Council Decisions EU 2024/1669: Council Decision on the position to be taken on behalf of the European Union within the Committee of the Parties of the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence on amendments to the Committees Rules of Procedure, with regard to matters related to judicial cooperation in criminal matters, asylum and nonrefoulement.
Council Decisions EU 2024/1680: Council Decision on the position to be taken on behalf of the European Union within the Committee of the Parties of the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence on amendments to the Committees Rules of Procedure, with regard to matters related to institutions and public administration of the Union.
Secretariat of the Committee: The Secretariat of the Committee of the Parties.
ICCP2024/12 prov: Document containing a revised proposal for amendments submitted by the Chair of the Committee following informal consultations.
consensus clause: A clause providing that every effort is to be made by the Committee to continue its practice of taking decisions by consensus.
review clause: A clause providing that the Committee is to examine the application of the rules within three years after adoption of the amendments.
13 February 2025: Date when the Secretariat of the Committee shared with the Parties the revised Proposal of the Chair of the Committee of the Parties for the amendment of the Rules of Procedure of the Committee of the Parties to the Istanbul Convention.
ICCP2025/1 prov: Document representing the revised Proposal of the Chair of the Committee of the Parties for the amendment of the Rules of Procedure of the Committee of the Parties to the Istanbul Convention
30 April 2025: Deadline for submitting objections in writing to the Secretariat regarding the envisaged act.
Brussels: The location where the Council Decision was done.
A. SZAPKA: The President of the Council.
28 April 2025: Date of the Council Decision.
Official Journal EN
of the European Union L series
2025/819 2.5.2025
COUNCIL DECISION (EU) 2025/819
of 28 April 2025
on the position to be taken on behalf of the European Union within the Committee of the Parties of
the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and
domestic violence on the amendments to the Committee’s Rules of Procedure, with regard to
matters related to institutions and public administration of the Union
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 336, 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, and entered into
force for the Union on 1 October 2023. To date, there are 39 parties to the Convention (the ‘Parties’), including the
Union and 22 Member States.
(2) The Committee of the Parties (the ‘Committee’) is a body of the monitoring mechanism of the Convention. Pursuant
to Article 67(3) of the Convention, the Committee has adopted its own rules of procedure (the ‘Rules of Procedure’).
The Rules of Procedure provide that each Party has one vote. The accession of the Union to the Convention requires
certain adjustments to the Rules of Procedure, in particular as regards voting rights.
(3) In August 2023, the Secretariat of the Committee proposed certain amendments to the Rules of Procedure to reflect
the impact of the Union’s accession to the Convention on the functioning of the Committee (the ‘proposed
amendments’) and asked the Parties to submit drafting suggestions.
(4) On 22 April 2024, by means of Council Decisions (EU) 2024/1669(3) and (EU) 2024/1680(4), the Union
established its position on the proposed amendments and proposed alternative amendments.
(5) On 31 May 2024, during the 16th meeting of the Committee, it was not possible to reach an agreement on the
proposed amendments and the Committee decided that its Chair would conduct informal consultations to seek
a solution agreeable to all members of the Committee.
(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).
(3) Council Decision (EU) 2024/1669 of 22 April 2024 on the position to be taken on behalf of the European Union within the
Committee of the Parties of the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic
violence on amendments to the Committee’s Rules of Procedure, with regard to matters related to judicial cooperation in criminal
matters, asylum and non-refoulement (OJ L, 2024/1669, 12.6.2024, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2024/1669/oj).
(4) Council Decision (EU) 2024/1680 of 22 April 2024 on the position to be taken on behalf of the European Union within the
Committee of the Parties of the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic
violence on amendments to the Committee’s Rules of Procedure, with regard to matters related to institutions and public
administration of the Union (OJ L, 2024/1680, 12.6.2024, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2024/1680/oj).
ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2025/819/oj 1/2EN
OJ L, 2.5.2025
(6) In November 2024, following informal consultations, the Chair of the Committee submitted a revised proposal for
amendments set out in document IC-CP(2024)12 prov. According to that proposal, the current voting rules should
continue to apply but be supplemented by a clause providing that every effort is to be made by the Committee to
continue its practice of taking decisions by consensus (the ‘consensus clause’), and a clause providing that the
Committee is to examine the application of the rules within three years after adoption of the amendments (the
‘review clause’). The consensus clause codifies the existing practice within the Committee and the review clause
clarifies the intention to reassess the Rules of Procedure no later than three years after the adoption of the
amendments thereto.
(7) On 13 February 2025, the Secretariat of the Committee shared with the Parties the ‘revised Proposal of the Chair of
the Committee of the Parties for the amendment of the Rules of Procedure of the Committee of the Parties to the
Istanbul Convention’ set out in document IC-CP(2025)1 prov (the ‘envisaged act’). The Secretariat invited the Parties
to approve the envisage act through a written procedure and further communicated that, unless objections were
submitted in writing to the Secretariat by 30 April 2025, the envisaged act would be deemed adopted.
(8) It is appropriate to establish the position to be taken on the Union’s behalf, as the amendments to the Rules of
Procedure will be legally binding on the Union.
(9) The adoption of the envisaged act would result in the current voting rules essentially continuing to apply with the
Union having one vote in addition to the votes of the Member States which are Parties. The addition of the
consensus clause and the review clause should be acceptable to the Union.
(10) As regards Rule 2.2.b., listing the participants which are not members of the Committee, the reference to the Union
should be deleted because it has become obsolete.
(11) The Union’s position should therefore be to not object to the adoption of the envisaged act.
(12) The position of the Union on the envisaged act should be without prejudice to future positions concerning rules of
procedure in relation to other Council of Europe conventions or Union agreements with third countries or
international organisations,
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
Article 1
The position to be taken on the Union’s behalf 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 (the
‘Committee’), with regard to the adoption of amendments to the Rules of Procedure of the Committee, shall be to not object
to the adoption of the revised Proposal of the Chair of the Committee for the amendment of the Rules of Procedure of the
Committee set out in document IC-CP(2025)1 prov.
Article 2
This Decision shall enter into force on the date of its adoption.
Done at Brussels, 28 April 2025.
For the Council
The President
A. SZŁAPKA
2/2 ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2025/819/oj