EU Council adopts Istanbul Convention on violence against women The EU Council approved the EU’s accession to the Istanbul Convention on violence against women. This vote is a step forward in combating violence against women and girls regardless of migration status, as it includes measures for the protection of victims and the provision of support and addresses the gender-based violence dimension in matters of asylum and migration. However, gaps remain as the EU’s accession is limited to matters falling under the EU's exclusive competences. The Convention will enter into force for the EU on 1 October 2023. Draft directive on violence against women heads for final negotiations EU co-legislators have recently adopted their positions on the European Commission’s proposal for a directive to prevent and fight violence against women and domestic violence. In contrast to the Council’s position, the European Parliament committees on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality and on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs adopted a draft report that would strengthen rights of undocumented victims, including by supporting bans for law enforcement to share personal data with immigration authorities when an undocumented victim reports abuse. Negotiations between the co-legislators on the final text of the legislation are expected to start mid-July.