Brussels, 03/03/2000 (Agence Europe) - By unanimously adopting the report by the Swedish Liberal Cecilia Malstroem, the European Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee calls for a strategic approach to European Union policy in the field of human rights. This annual report on human rights in the world will be submitted for a vote in plenary at the third plenary session of March (in Brussels, on 29 and 30 of the month). The report places special emphasis on the problem of discrimination and violence against women.
Mrs. Malstroem considers European human rights policy to be too fragmented and that it needs replacing by a common and consistent strategy, based on closer inter-institutional cooperation. She proposes: - (1) setting up an advisory group, comprising representatives of EU institutions, Member States and experts in the field of human rights; (2) that the EU draw up its own indicators to measures human rights; (3) appointment of a special EP envoy for prisoners of conscience; (3) creation of an EU Internet site devoted to human rights.
The report condemns "traditional violence", and notably segregation between the sexes in Afghanistan and "honour killings", and also broaches the problem of domestic violence, the trafficking in human beings and sexual mutilation. A compromise amendment on the right of asylum for women victims of systematic discrimination and violence was approved through a large majority. Other recommendations concern the death penalty, press freedom, religious persecution and torture.