Brussels, 10/11/2006 (Agence Europe) - The Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Network (EMHRN) has published a report on attaining gender equality in the Euro-Mediterranean region, presented with a view to the Euro-Mediterranean ministerial conference on the role of women in society scheduled to be held in Istanbul on 13-15 November. EMHRN asserts that its report brings into question the stereotype perception that the region is full of conservative and static societies, founded on unchanging religious traditions and ideas. It is clear for the EuroMed network that the discrimination noted is not just a matter of religious standards and cultural traditions but also of practices to be overcome or developed through reform, for which organisations in the region are campaigning. EMHRN rejects the argument that women's rights come into the sphere of cultural and religious traditions rather than human rights, and that women's rights should be in line with national legislation rather than international declarations and conventions that have been accepted and adopted, and that the EU and its partners should give greater encouragement and support to initiatives in the region, which show that change is possible - and necessary. (fb)