The European Parliament has renewed its call to fight harassment, particularly in the EU institutions. A report, adopted with 486 votes in favour, 17 against and 125 abstentions, lists a series of proposals, ranging from the introduction of compulsory training for MEPs, with penalties for those who fail to attend, to the strengthening of reporting channels (see EUROPE 13169/25).
“This is not the first resolution of this kind in this mandate, and it’s true that many of the commitments from previous resolutions (…) are still to be fulfilled”, acknowledged rapporteur Michal Šimečka (S&D, Slovakian), stressing that the aim of his text was to “close that gap”. The European Parliament adopted a report containing similar recommendations in 2021 (see EUROPE 12849/17). Carina Ohlsson (S&D, Swedish) and Terry Reintke (Greens/EFA, German) in turn called for the measures suggested by the European Parliament to be applied.
Present at the debate, the European Commissioner for Budget, Johannes Hahn, pointed out that with the ratification of the Istanbul Convention by the EU, which covers the Union's administrations, “EU institutions, agencies and bodies will also need to implement the gold standards of the convention”.
In addition, as Ewa Kopacz (EPP, Polish) raised the issue of online harassment (see EUROPE 13173/1), Mr Hahn conceded that the EU and all employers must “modernise their toolbox” to “adapt to the digital environment”.
All the political groups supported the text, except for the ECR and ID. Margarita de la Pisa Carrión (ECR, Spanish) denounced a divisive “gender theory” and opposed “mandatory courses for adults and penalties”. It should be noted that the EPP voted in favour, whereas some of its members had abstained in 2021.
The adoption of this report also coincides with accusations of harassment against several MEPs, most recently against Pernille Weiss (ECR, Danish). On the same day, the European Parliament also decided to lift the immunity of Aléxis Georgoúlis (The Left, Greek), accused of sexual harassment.
To see the report: https://aeur.eu/f/76i (Original version in French by Hélène Seynaeve)