On Monday 14 July, MEPs from the Women’s Rights (FEMM) and Civil Liberties (LIBE) Committees jointly debated the draft own-initiative report calling on the European Commission to propose a European definition of rape centred on free, informed and reversible consent, in accordance with Article 36 of the Istanbul Convention and Article 83 of the TFEU.
Spearheaded by S&D MEPs Evin Incir (Swedish) and Joanna Scheuring-Wielgus (Polish), this text revives a debate that was abandoned during the negotiation of the 2024 European directive on violence against women (see EUROPE 13351/23, 13344/24), in the face of blockages in the EU Council.
Joanna Scheuring-Wielgus denounced “an unacceptable situation”, referring to the “9 million women who have been raped” in the European Union. Evin Incir, was outraged at the extent of impunity and called on the Member States that have not done so - Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Lithuania and Slovakia - to ratify the Istanbul Convention, the international benchmark on violence against women (see EUROPE 13262/20).
Among the shadow rapporteurs, Abir Al-Sahlani (Renew Europe, Swedish) welcomed “a crucial report” in view of the 91,000 cases of rape recorded in 2023, and pointed to the sexist stereotypes that victims may still be subjected to.
Melissa Camara (Greens/EFA, French) called for the states responsible for the blockages to be clearly named, for LGBTQI+ people to be included in the text, and for the role of feminist movements to be recognised.
Irene Montero (The Left, Spanish) felt that victims must be guaranteed effective access to care, support and reparation, even if they have not lodged a complaint.
Fabienne Keller (Renew Europe, French), on behalf of Anna-Maja Henriksson (Renew Europe, Finnish), welcomed the EU-inspired national reforms, particularly in France and Finland.
Jeroen Lenaers (EPP, Dutch) supported the importance of the notion of consent, while calling for “not complicating national legislation” and “respecting subsidiarity”. Fabrice Leggeri (PfE, French), for his part, referred to “legal difficulties” in taking account of national criminal law.
The amendments are expected later this week, with a vote scheduled for December. The EU Council is also working on the issue, and an exchange of views will be held on 3 December.
The report: https://aeur.eu/f/hvv (Original version in French by Nithya Paquiry)