Poland is to begin the process of withdrawing from a European treaty aimed at combating violence against women.
Justice Minister Zbigniew Ziobro announced Saturday that Poland will exit the Council of Europe's Istanbul Convention on Monday.
According to CNN, the Istanbul Convention aims to protect women against violence and to help bring about the end of discrimination against them.
Poland is facing harsh criticism for the move. Thousands of people gathered in Warsaw and other cities on Friday to protest.
Violence is not a traditional value. The EU and all of its members signed because Europe stands for human rights, equality and decency. Guy Verhofstadt Former Belgian Prime Minister