Budapest protesters demand ratification of Istanbul Convention

Protesters gathered in front of the Hungarian Parliament in Budapest to demand the ratification of the Istanbul Convention, a treaty designed to prevent and combat violence against women.

Organized under the slogan “Hold my hand! And let’s not let go…”, the demonstration featured symbolic performances and collective actions. One participant, Annamária Kmetyó, performed a piece involving a soaked mattress to represent the burden of trauma. Demonstrators also carried signs with the names and ages of women who lost their lives to abuse, seeking justice and government action.

The activists are calling on the current government to ratify the convention, which Hungary signed in 2014 but saw its ratification rejected by Parliament in 2020. Organizers noted that the previous administration rejected the treaty citing concerns over migration and gender ideology. The protesters aim to collect personal stories of abuse to present to relevant government authorities.