WUNRN
European Parliament Press Release
MEP'S SEND RESOLUTION ON SEXUAL HEALTH CARE & EDUCATION BACK TO COMMITTEE
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European Women's Lobby - EWL
EUROPEAN WOMEN'S LOBBY DISMAYED WITH
EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT'S REFERRAL OF SEXUAL & REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS REPORT BACK
TO COMMITTEE
(Brussels, 22 October 2013) This week, the
European Parliament has decided not to vote on a non-binding report on reproductive
and sexual health rights, but to refer it back to committee.
The vote scheduled the 22nd on the non-binding
resolution on sexual and reproductive health and rights, drawn up by Edite
Estrela (S&D, PT), did not take place as MEPs voted by a slim majority
to refer it back to the Women’s Rights and Gender Equality committee for
further deliberation.
The EWL is concerned about this political sign
given to all women and girls in Europe: despite the consensus gained in
FEMM Committee amongst all major political groups, very conservative forces try
to interfere to refuse to guarantee women’s rights in the EU. The EWL
hopes that the FEMM Committee will confirm its progressive position on sexual
and reproductive health and rights and would like to express its support to
Edite Estrela MEP, rapporteur of the report.
However, women’s organisations want to express
their support to all the MEPs who voted against a Motion for a Resolution,
which contained anti-choice statements and attacks on women’s rights. By
rejecting this motion with an overwhelming majority, the MEPs from all major
political groups gave a signal that a strong message can come out of the
European Parliament, promoting women’s rights and their full enjoyment of the
highest standards of sexual and reproductive health.
In this context, the EWL wants to send a
strong message to all MEPs, from all political groups and countries: in
the 21st century, we won’t achieve equality between women and men if we are not
committed to full sexual and reproductive health rights for all women in Europe.
The EWL hopes that the European Parliament sees fit to support real equality
for all men and women in Europe. The EWL calls on all progressive partners to
disseminate the attached document presenting 5 key reasons why vote
for the report, to all MEPs and engage in a constructive discussion towards
gender equality and the protection of women’s rights.
Read various press releases on the vote:
- S&D
group - rapporteur Edite Estrela MEP: "By not respecting the
outcome of the vote in parliamentary committee, the conservatives want to
set women’s rights back 30 years".
- Greens
group video - Ulrike Lunacek MEP: "We will continue to fight for
women’s rights".
- GUE/NGL
group - Mikael Gustafsson MEP: "This is a dark day for those who
believe that sexual and reproductive health and rights are central to
achieving gender equality in the EU and beyond."
- European
Parliament’s Intergroup on LGBT rights
- EP
working group on reproductive health, HIV/Aids and development: press
release by IPPF-EN, DSW, MSI, EPF and the Centre for Reproductive Rights
- Mikael Gustafsson MEP: "Those who are so against the necessary and
progressive measures put forward in this report are living in the dark
ages. They have shown that intolerance and shouting at others are their
preferred methods".
- European
Humanist Federation
You can find here
the names of MEPs who voted in favor or against the referral of the report to
the FEMM Committee.
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European Parliament Committee on
Women’s Rights & Gender Equality
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/committees/en/femm/home.html
SEXUAL AND
REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH AND RIGHTS
Adoption of report
Rapporteur: Edite Estrela (S&D)
The Plenary in October referred back
to the committee (pursuant to Rule 175 of the Rules of Procedure of the
European Parliament) the report of Rapporteur Estrela, on Sexual and
Reproductive Health and Rights. FEMM Members and their respective groups have
the opportunity to table split votes to the original text and vote on it a
second time. This procedure might lead to a modified report which is planned to
be voted in Plenary in December.
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EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT – FULL REPORT:
REPORT
on Sexual and Reproductive Health and
Rights
(2013/2040(INI))
Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality
Rapporteur: Edite Estrela
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