Parliament's shameful suppression of women's rights

MEPs say sexual and reproductive health and rights are matter for member states

December 11th, 2013
Mikael Gustafsson (Video), European Parliament
Parliament's shameful suppression of women's rights on World Human Rights Day

Parliament on Tuesday passed a non-binding resolution on sexual and reproductive health and rights tabled by the EPP and ECR groups which states that: "The formulation and implementation of policies on sexual and reproductive health and rights and on sex education in schools is a competence of the member states." The resolution was adopted by 334 votes to 327, with 35 abstentions.

A non-binding resolution tabled by the Women's Rights Committee fell. This resolution was controversial. It was originally tabled in October but referred back to the committee for further discussion. The committee then made some adjustments, without altering the substance of text, and re-tabled it for a vote at the December plenary session. However, this text was lost when the EPP-ECR resolution was adopted.

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