Brussels, 16/01/2008 (Agence Europe) - The future European child protection strategy was given the very strong backing of the European Parliament (EP) in Strasbourg on Wednesday 16 January. MEPs adopted the own initiative report by Roberta Angelilli (UEN, Italy) by 630 votes to 26, with 62 abstentions, confirming the EP's to opposition to any form of violence against children. Most of the measures agreed by the civil liberties committee (LIBE) were accepted, with MEPs keen to include tougher measures to combat paedophilia on the internet, and the creation of a set of extra-territorial criminal laws to counter sex tourism. MEPs also wanted a system which would lead to the prosecution within Europe of suppliers of products manufactured by child labour, and a Community instrument on adoption. They did not adopt, however, an amendment to the original text which recommended that all member states ban the wearing of the veil and the hidjab at least in primary schools. In summary, “This report is not perfect, but it is a good starting point,” said the rapporteur the day before voting. Dwelling on two points, Angelilli said that first of all, “the involvement of children had to be ensured” so that they can express their points of view. “We want all EU policies to take account of children's rights. Children form 30% of the population of Europe, but they are not well enough protected in positive law,” she added.
The 2006 communication on the strategy on children's rights contained important proposals, some of which had already been put in practice, said Franco Frattini, on behalf of the European Commission. He mentioned the single emergency hotline number, although immediately bemoaned the fact it was not yet in operation in half of the member states. It could be set up very quickly, he said. Other priorities were the abduction and disappearance of children, the use of the internet for criminal purposes (Eurojust and Europol had, he said, been able to dismantle a number of paedophile networks), combating the sexual exploitation of children, and international adoption. Frattini announced that the Commission was developing a website specifically for children, using simple language to explain how to avoid danger. The Daphne programme would mean the Ombudsman networks for children would receive support, including financial support.
“Our society is best judged by the way it deals with our innocents,” said British Conservative Edward McMillan Scott, concerned particularly by the rights of children in the event of adoption, including their right to be heard and to independent legal representation. Despite the Hague and Brussels Conventions, there were still gaps in this area. British Labour MEP Glenys Kinnock expressed similar concerns and supported children's right to be consulted, and Irish MEP Mairead McGuinness (EPP-ED), too, felt that the time when children were seen and not heard had gone. Like other Irish MEPs, she said that it was the families who could best protect children's rights. Kathy Sinnott (ID) said that the state should only intervene when parents are unable to decide themselves. Hungarian MEP Kinga Gal (EPP-ED) and Estonian Siiri Oviir (ALDE) argued that more should be done to educate and support families so that they could better look after their children.
Several MEPs spoke about children at risk: orphans, children living in poverty, handicapped children - and French Socialist Martine Roure and Italian Giusto Catania of the GUE/NGL group raised the plight of unaccompanied minors held in immigrant detention centres, often in degrading conditions. Children, added German Green Hiltrud Breyer, had the right to be protected against violence and to live in an environmentally sound world. Boguslaw Rogalski (UEN, Poland) supported children's right to be raised in the culture and language of both parents, when these latter were of different nationalities (Rogalski was referring to the German Jugendamt, which, it is felt, favours German-speaking parents.)
In conclusion, Frattini confirmed that the Commission intended to combat the use of the internet for criminal purposes (although a survey has revealed that only 20% of parents keep a check on how their children use the internet) and also sex tourism, under-age working (often illegal and involving immigrant children) and possibly to draw up a European directive. There were already rules on violence against children, he said, but judges did not apply them in every member state. Frattini was optimistic: children could take on an active role in EU policy, particularly if migrants' children could become “ambassadors” of European integration. (B.C./L.G.)