Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2000-03-14-Speech-2-144"
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"en.20000314.8.2-144"2
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"It is clear that there is a great fear among many people, particularly the people who elected me, that this Charter will override national constitutions, in particular as regards the support and protection of fundamental institutions such as family, marriage and the protection of life, born and unborn. It is good to remember that Europe has shared a common position throughout its history regarding the importance of supporting and protecting family and marriage. This is enshrined in all our constitutions as well as the constitutions of those accession countries joining the European Union in enlargement. I can show you the constitutions of post-communist states in which the family and marriage is protected.
I welcome the reference in our Charter to family life. Part 1 of Article 9 states: "Everyone shall have the right to found a family". It says it is inspired by Article 12 of the European Convention on Human Rights which states "men and women of marriageable age have the right to marry and found a family according to national laws". Society recognises marriage not on moral grounds but because it recognises on a rational basis the stability it affords society socially and economically as well as securing future generations.
In the interests of best practice – and whilst it is increasingly difficult to define family and we need great sensitivity and compassion in this area – we should not throw away the traditional family unit as the fundamental unit we strive towards, indeed we should uphold it.
Point 3 of Article 9 states, "the Union shall ensure the protection of children". It suggests we could add "in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child". I support this, but I would strongly suggest that we incorporate into the wording of point 3 that first and foremost, the Union will support the family as the primary and natural educator and protector of the child as is their duty. The Union should only step into a primary role where the family is unable to fulfil its duty. As it states in the Convention, "the family as the fundamental group of society and natural environment for the growth and wellbeing of its members, particularly children, should be afforded the necessary protection and assistance to fully assume its responsibility within the Community""@en1
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