Brussels, 02/03/2007 (Agence Europe) - Speaking in the name of his country, Poland's Education Minister Roman Giertych called for the creation of a Grand Charter for the Rights of European Nations to define Europe's shared values, based on national identity and respect of human life and the family. This should precede the debate on the European Constitution, he said. Addressing the press on 1 March after the informal meeting of EU education ministers in Heidelberg, Giertych said that, “in respect for human life, we are suggesting the introduction of a European ban on abortion as well as a ban on homosexual propaganda that reaches the youngest children and contributes to the increasingly pronounced weakening of the family and to the negation of natural law”.
In his speech at the meeting (published on the official site of the Ministry of Education), the minister stressed that “Europe needs an honest and open discussion on values”. “We must first of all speak of the rights of European nations and their proper identity and freedoms”, which are today “threatened by the attempt to impose the ideologies of minority ideological groups”, the minister went on to say, speaking of the current trend to raise children in a “spirit of permissiveness” and surrounded by “growing homosexual propaganda”. The minister called for an “immediate ban on abortion” and for homosexual propaganda to be restricted, as well as for strengthening of the family unit. “Only after this shall we be able to speak of the next steps to be taken on the European Constitution”, he added.
On Friday, the spokesman for Commissioner Franco Frattini (justice/freedom/security) reacted to this. He said “the European Union has no authority when it comes to abortion” (as member states have exclusive competence) and the remarks made by the Polish minister on homosexuality are “unfortunate”. He went on to recall European legislation established to combat all forms of discrimination. (aby/hb)