Andorra became the 10th member state of the Council of Europe to ratify the Istanbul Convention. The “Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence”­­ – known informally as the “Istanbul Convention” – is the first European treaty specifically targeting violence against women and domestic violence. It sets out minimum standards on prevention, protection, prosecution, and services. Countries ratifying must also establish services such as hotlines, shelters, medical services, counselling, and legal aid.

The Convention will enter into force on 1 August 2014

Learn more about the Convention here.