In the margins of the European Parliament’s plenary session in Strasbourg, MEPs are preparing to begin negotiations with the Council of the EU on Thursday 13 July on the directive on combating domestic violence and violence against women (see EUROPE 13211/35).
However, “the inclusion of Article 5 on rape is a red line for the European Parliament”, said co-rapporteur Evin Incir (S&D, Swedish) ahead of the first meeting. In their common position, and contrary to the path taken by the MEPs, the Member States have reduced the list of offences covered by the directive, removing rape in particular (see EUROPE 13198/1).
Frances Fitzgerald (EPP, Irish) (see EUROPE 13194/22) also complained that “the argument is a legal one, they say it’s overreach by the EU”. While the European Commission and the European Parliament have ruled that there is an appropriate legal basis in the TFEU, for the co-rapporteur this “raises broader questions actually in each of the Member States that are opposing it about how seriously equality is being taken” in each of the countries in favour of this omission.
“Now if rape were a eurocrime - which in fact it should be but it requires unanimity - it would be much easier legally”, she added.
In turn, they called on the Member States to show “political leadership” and find solutions “instead of excuses”. (Original version in French by Hélène Seynaeve)