The Committee of Ministers examined domestic violence cases concerning the failure of the authorities to take the necessary measures to protect women or their children from the violent actions of their male partners, ex-partners, fathers, or sons-in-law, which culminated in acts of extreme gravity or murder in several of the cases.
In Levchuk v. Ukraine group of cases, the Committee welcomed the ratification by Ukraine of the Istanbul Convention and noted with satisfaction the developments in the judicial practice and the legislative framework enabling adequate and urgent reactions in cases of domestic violence. It asked specifically for information on protective measures when the violence occurs in the context of co-ownership of property and on availability of shelters and their functioning. The Committee also strongly encouraged the authorities to pursue and intensify their awareness-raising and capacity building measures to ensure the proper application of the legislative framework.
Domestic violence, which can take various forms ranging from physical to psychological violence or verbal abuse, is a widespread problem which affects all member States and requires wide ranging reforms and decisive and coordinated action from law-enforcement authorities for their implementation. Examples of reforms adopted in other cases concerning domestic violence can be found in the thematic factsheet on domestic violence of the Department for the execution of judgments of the European Court of Human rights.
Implementation of judgments concerning domestic violence in Georgia, the Russian Federation and Türkiye were also discussed in December 2022.
Related links:
2022 News item: The Committee of Ministers reviewed the implementation of judgments concerning domestic violence in Georgia, the Russian Federation, Türkiye and Ukraine. English, French
2022 Guidelines: of the Committee of Ministers on the prevention and remedying of violations of the Convention for the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms. English, French
2022 Thematic factsheet: Domestic violence. Department for the execution of judgments of the European Court of Human rights. English, French
2019 Report: Compilation of case law of the European Court of Human Rights on Gender Equality Issues. English
