EAST Renfrewshire’s MP has called on the UK Government to ratify the Istanbul Convention law on violence against women without exceptions.

Last month, it was announced that the gold standard legal framework to tackle violence against women and girls, and a lifeline to survivors, would be ratified in the country by the end of July.

However, the UK Government has been accused of choosing to opt out of key parts of the Istanbul Convention that provide life-saving support and protections, particularly for migrant women.

It is claimed these opt-outs would reinforce the power of perpetrators of violence against women and girls and increase the risks faced by migrant survivors.

Nationalist MP Kirsten Oswald joined 56 fellow MPs and peers at an event last week to urge the UK Government to ratify the Istanbul Convention on violence against women law.

The event was run by IC Change and supporting organisations, including the Women’s Institute, End Violence Against Women Coalition, Safety4Sisters, Solace Women’s Aid, and Rape Crisis.

Ms Oswald said: “I was pleased to join colleagues on a cross-party basis to call on the UK Government to help end violence towards all women and girls in the UK. The statistics show that we still have a long way to go.

“The UK Government’s plan to ratify the Convention is a step towards a safer world for all women and girls, but I join IC Change and leading women’s organisations in calling on them to offer protection to all women, including migrant women, when they ratify the Convention.”

Robyn Andréo-Boosey, co-director of IC Change, added: “We urge the Government to ensure that ratification leaves no woman behind. We will not accept caveats or exceptions. All women means all women.”

A Home Office spokesperson said: “The Istanbul Convention will still be ratified, but we are evaluating our approach to supporting migrant victims of domestic abuse and will make a final decision on Article 59 once that is concluded.

“This does not affect victims’ ability to get support and regularise their stay here, and we have recently provided an additional £1.4million for migrant victims of domestic abuse.”