11/03/2014 (Agence Europe) - European Parliament's call against torture. On 10 March, the European Parliament called for a greater fight against torture in the world. Adopting the report by Véronique de Keyser (S&D, Belgium) by a very large majority (608 votes in favour, 3 against and 27 abstentions) - a report on the eradication of torture - MEPs call on the European External Action Service (EEAS) and on the member states to give fresh momentum to implementing European guidelines on “torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading punishments or treatment”. They also call for the measures to fight against torture, which are provided for in the EU action plan for human rights and democracy, to have “specific and measurable” reference criteria applicable to the fight against torture. The Commission, EEAS and member states should carry out periodical checks on the implementation of the regulation banning the trade of certain goods likely to be used for inflicting capital punishment or forms of torture, MEPs add. (CG)