” “Is it real freedom?

The question of reproductive rights and rights connected with sexuality is on the EU’s agenda. Apart from the United Nations and the World Health Organization, the European Parliament too is about to intervene on the matter with a Report presented by Belgian MEP Van Lancker, “Health and sexual and reproductive rights”. The Report will be voted on in the Equal Opportunities Commission on 22 May and in plenary assembly in July. SirEurope asked for an opinion from the German MEP Emilia Franciska Müller , of the European People’s Party, and member of the Commission. What do you think of this report? “This report tries to promote the legalization of abortion throughout Europe. The reference to Eastern Europe is only a pretext behind which the document’s real objective is hidden; it is revealing that the situation of women in the candidate countries is only spoken of in statistical terms. A great danger is posed by the Report’s reference to the term ‘emergency contraception’, which is nothing but a euphemism for the so-called ‘day-after pill’. Nor do I agree when the Report affirms that the European Union ought to interfere in the cultural traditions and customs of member states: this does not fall within its remit. Also because, in spite of the absence of any obligatory character, any EC intervention in this field would still represent undue pressure. My conclusion is that the Report is contrary to the ethical and Christian principles of our community of values”. What, in your view, are the positive aspects of the Report? “It’s a struggle to find them. In general I may say that it’s good to speak of women’s rights linked to the issue of health and reproduction: just as it’s important that they be debated within the European Parliament, quite apart from this specific Report, especially in view of the future membership of the countries of Central and Eastern Europe. It’s equally right that the EP should devote a Report to them”.