Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2011-10-26-Speech-3-353-000"
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"en.20111026.22.3-353-000"2
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"Madam President, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen, I am pleased to give my full support today to this report, which allows for significant progress to be made in the protection of children’s rights. It stresses the need for more prevention and introduces harsher penalties. In this regard, I would like to highlight the importance of tougher sentences for those who have taken advantage of their position of authority, confidence or influence to abuse a child.
The report also insists on follow-up measures for victims and their families. I mention their families deliberately, because they are also victims. Admittedly, they are indirect victims, but they can be deeply affected by the sexual violence that their child has suffered.
This directive represents considerable progress, and I should like to sincerely congratulate the rapporteur on her work.
Aside from certain differences that have surfaced during the negotiations, we were keen to ensure that the best interests of the child were our main concern at all times, and I believe it is important to highlight that today.
However, I must admit that there is something that has left a bitter taste in my mouth. This does not directly relate to Ms Angelilli’s report; it is a more general issue. Commissioner, why is the Commission refusing to declare itself in favour of the Union’s accession to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child? Like other Members, I submitted a written question on this matter. Why, when the Union now has a legal personality that allows it to ratify international treaties, can it not go further in recognising children’s rights? The argument that the Union is not competent to intervene in this area does not satisfy me. This legalistic answer is not valid. Ratification by the Union is a strong political message that we have a duty to send. If the Union undertakes to enforce children’s rights, then it must ratify the Convention, especially since we now have the Charter of Fundamental Rights, including Article 24 thereof, which obliges us to enforce these rights.
The European Union must be bolder and prove that it is equal to its new responsibilities."@en1
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