Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2004-09-16-Speech-4-007"
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"en.20040916.1.4-007"2
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"Mr President, as the last speaker said a moment ago, a debate on ‘Women on Waves’ soon changes into a debate on abortion, about a woman’s right to choose. This happens, of course, in the debate in this House, but also in the media, where the discussion about the reproductive rights of women, which are not recognised in all EU countries, is once again cranked up. This is exactly what the ‘Women on Waves’ association wants. Consequently, any politician who speaks for or against this organisation and wants to enter into the fundamental debate about abortion, does complete justice to the objectives of this women’s organisation. I myself can be brief about this. I fully support this House’s position, as set out in Mrs Van Lancker’s report, which is that, although a termination should not be decided upon lightly, women should, have the right to decide in favour of a safe, lawful termination.
That is what was said by the majority in this Parliament, as indeed it is what is said by ‘Women on Waves’.
Portugal, however, has refused to allow the ship access to the port, which is bizarre. ‘Women on Waves’ is not engaging in illegal activities in Portuguese waters; what it is doing is providing information about a topic which is not to the government’s liking. This may well be the thin end of the wedge. Indeed, it is only a matter of time before Greenpeace
is refused entry to ports if it says something not to the government’s liking, and that we cannot accept. The Portuguese used the argument that the ship
is a threat to public health. Is the European Commission of the same mind? Mr Bot has already stated that refusing a ship entry on those grounds is not justifiable. Does the European Commission share his opinion? Access should not, however, be denied on the grounds of public order either. Information activities are not violent. They take place in the privacy of the ship in the spirit of dialogue and respect, so the government’s tough response is unfounded. The ship has now crossed the border again, just as some 10 000 Portuguese women do every year in search of the treatment they need."@en1
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"de Borndiep"1
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