[Brussels, 9 February 2015] Update from Colette De Troy, Director of the Observatory on Violence against Women.
The national selection procedure leading to the nomination of candidates for GREVIO is under way in the countries having ratified the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence, known as the Istanbul Convention. Among these, only 8 EU countries (Austria, Denmark, France, Italy, Malta, Portugal, Spain and Sweden) and 2 accession countries (Serbia and Turkey) are in this state and should organise the process.
The EWL is calling for a transparent and open to competition process in order to lead to the nomination of the most qualified candidates. As a good example, we can quote Malta, as the Ministry responsible for organizing the process has published an open call in the Government Gazette and in the main newspaper. Unfortunately, it seems that other countries are not so openly clear in preparing the nomination of national experts and NGOs some times are struggling to know more on this preparation. The EWL prepared a Lobbying kit to help NGOs and allies in ensuring a truly open choice.
The States are invited to submit to the Secretary General of the Council of Europe nominations for up to 3 candidates for GREVIO by 2 March 2015.
