Polish govt plays down moves to quit domestic violence treaty

WARSAW: Poland’s rightwing government on Monday played down a bid by its justice minister to withdraw from a landmark international treaty combating violence against women.

Justice Minister Zbigniew Ziobro said he had set in motion the process to withdraw from the Istanbul Convention, saying it contains provisions that are “ideological in nature”.

His plan has triggered outcry both in Poland and abroad, with the EU and the Council of Europe voicing regret and alarm, while thousands of people have protested against it across Poland.

But Michal Dworczyk, head of the prime minister’s chancellery, told the private Polsat news channel: “There is no official, unequivocal decision regarding the Istanbul Convention.”

He was echoed by governing Law and Justice (PiS) party spokesman Radoslaw Fogiel, who also played down Ziobro’s moves, saying “the emotional reaction (to the planned withdrawal)... is definitely premature.”