Link to Commons debate.

Istanbul Convention (Treaty Ratification) Bill

A bill to Require the United Kingdom to ratify the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence (the Istanbul Convention); and for connected purposes.

BE IT ENACTED by the Queen's most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:—

Part I: Ratification of the Istanbul Convention on violence against women

1. It shall be the duty of Her Majesty’s Government to take all reasonable steps as soon as reasonably practicable to enable the United Kingdom to become compliant with the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence, Treaty no. 210 (the “Istanbul Convention”)
2. Parliament gives approval for the treaty to be ratified inline with the Treaty Ratification Act 2015 and The Ponsonby Rule as set out in the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010

Part 2: The timetable for ratification of the Istanbul Convention

1. The Secretary of State shall lay a report before each House of Parliament setting out—
   1. the steps required to be taken to enable the United Kingdom to ratify the Istanbul Convention; and
   2. the date by which the Secretary of State would expect the United Kingdom to be able to ratify the Convention.
2. The report at Part 2 (1) must be laid within four weeks of this Act receiving Royal Assent.
3. When Her Majesty’s Government has determined that the United Kingdom is compliant with the Istanbul Convention, it shall make a statement to each House of Parliament—
   1. of its determination, and
   2. the date by which the Convention will be ratified.

Part 4: Short title, commencement and extent

1. Istanbul Convention (Treaty Ratification) Act 2017.
2. The provisions of this Act come into force on the day on which this Act receives Royal Assent.
3. This Act extends to England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

This bill was submitted by The Rt Hon. /u/demon4372, Earl of Dwyfor AL PC and Sponsored by The Rt Hon. /u/thechattyshow MP PC, The Rt Hon. /u/ExplosiveHorse MP PC, The Rt Hon. /u/AlmightlyWibble MP PC and The Rt Hon. /u/ctrlaltlama MPPC

The voting period for this bill will end at 10PM BST on the 8th of January.

Vote Aye, No or Abstain. Comments with anything else will be deleted. Comments that are edited will be void and not counted.

If a member is voting by proxy, they must have gained permission from the speaker prior to this vote. If no permission was sought and granted, their vote will not be counted.

For full clarifications on the voting system see this post.