Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2006-01-19-Speech-4-216"
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"en.20060119.27.4-216"2
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"The number of disabled people in the world is vast. I will take the opportunity of Mr Bowis’ question to focus on two categories of preventable disability in the developing world: child blindness and explosive amputation.
As we sit here today, there are approximately one million blind children in the world whose loss of sight could have been prevented; one of the most important causes being easily and cheaply treatable eye infections. At the cost of a few million euros, probably amounting to only a small fraction of one percentage point of our budget, we could have prevented one million children from living in total darkness for the rest of their lives. I dare propose that in addition to the WHO campaign VISION 2020, we attempt to set up and fully finance an EU ‘Stop Child Blindness Now’ task force with the aim of eradicating preventable paediatric blindness, as soon as possible, and certainly much sooner than 2020.
Equally disturbing is the situation with the catastrophic effect of landmines. Many thousands of children in developing countries have had their legs and arms traumatically amputated as a result of landmine explosions. Before this parliamentary debate is finished, the chances are that a few children somewhere in Asia, Africa or South America will have their limbs blown to pieces by these satanic devices. We know very well which countries manufacture, sell and use landmines, yet we do not do enough to stop them and punish them for their evil doings. I dare propose that such countries should be blacklisted as soon as possible and drastic measures, such as a total economic embargo, should be imposed on them by our Union and preferably, if possible, by the whole international community. Child blindness and landmine-related loss of limbs in children are two forms of serious disability in the developing world that can be prevented to a very large degree, if we show willingness and determination so to do.
Commissioner, please make the drastic proposal necessary to reduce these forms of disability and be sure that you will have the full support of our Parliament."@en1
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