Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2004-09-16-Speech-4-008"
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"en.20040916.1.4-008"2
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"Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, it is quite simply in my capacity as a European woman that I would like to speak today on the issue of ‘Women on Waves’.
Like the Socialist Group in the European Parliament (PSE Group), I wonder whether the Portuguese Government’s decision to prevent the Dutch ship from entering its territorial waters was a breach of international law. I also, however, view it as a ban on the provision of care to fellow European women.
Although in my opinion the ‘Women on Waves’ campaign is conducted in a somewhat provocative manner, I still believe that it is fundamentally legitimate. The association’s campaign is concerned with two women’s rights which to my mind are indispensable: the right to health and the right to dignity, both of which are included in the Charter of Fundamental Rights. In many Member States these rights have been defended for decades by women who fight to win governments over to their legitimate cause. This is also why I personally am shocked to find out that even today and within the European Parliament there is a movement of women trying to question the gains won over a long struggle.
I am not here to reprimand those Member States which have chosen to restrict, prohibit or punish the practice of abortion, but I believe that the event of which I am speaking today should be an opportunity for these Member States to reopen the debate on this difficult issue. Women often have to take the serious decision to end a pregnancy on their own, and it is always a time of great distress. It is a choice which is never made casually, but in all conscience, and accusations of guilt or even criminal guilt are not the right response. Only dialogue and information will make it possible to move public opinion forward. Incidentally, repression is a godsend to illicit businesses which exploit ignorance and social weakness. This type of network should have no place in our Europe of freedoms. It is the duty of the European institutions to set an example in this field and to ensure that individual freedoms are respected. If the Commission fails to take a clear stance, it will be seen not just as a social injustice for these women, but as an unacceptable setback for their fundamental rights.
I would like to add that the problem does not affect women alone. I find it a pity that there are so few men in our Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality, and I would like to express my sincere thanks to those who have realised that we must unite to defend our ideas and to demonstrate our commitment.
Our duty as Europeans is to use our judgment and compassion to help the women of our Member States confront their problems. This is why the Group of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE/ADLE Group) calls on the Council and the Commission to adopt a clear and democratic position.
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