Brussels, 16/03/2011 (Agence Europe) - A criminal law instrument in the form of an EU directive against gender-based violence should be put in place. Rape and other sexual violence against women should be recognised as a crime throughout the EU. Perpetrators should be prosecuted automatically. All reference to cultural, traditional or religious practices, including so-called “honour crimes” and female genital mutilation, as mitigating factors should be rejected. These are the main calls...