Poland to leave Istanbul ConventionJuly 27, 2020 - 12:16 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Poland is to withdraw from a European treaty aimed at preventing violence against women, the BBC cited the country's justice minister as saying. Zbigniew Ziobro said the document, known as the Istanbul Convention, was "harmful" because it required schools to teach children about gender. He added that reforms introduced in the country in recent years provided sufficient protection for women. Thousands of women have protested at the move in cities across Poland. Ziobro said the government would formally begin the process of withdrawing from the treaty, which was ratified in 2015, on Monday, July 27. He argued that the convention violated the rights of parents and "contains elements of an ideological nature". The ruling Law and Justice (PiS) party and its coalition partners are closely aligned to the Catholic Church, and the government has promised to promote traditional family values. President Andrzej Duda was re-elected earlier this month following a campaign in which he described the promotion of LGBT rights as an "ideology" more destructive than communism. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | Armenia, Turkey discuss restoration of historic bridge The meeting took place on May 17 in Ashgabat on the sidelines of an international conference of ministers of culture. India wants Armenia’s proposals on use of Chabahar port India is expecting proposals from Armenia regarding the use of Chabahar port in Iran, Indian ambassador says. EU welcomes Armenia-Azerbaijan “progress” The EU has welcomed “progress” made in the framework of the Armenia-Azerbaijan border delimitation process. Belarus opposition leader slams Lukashenko for Karabakh trip Belarusian opposition politician Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya has harshly criticized the visit of Lukashenko to Karabakh. |