Brussels, 14/01/2009 (Agence Europe) - In Strasbourg on Wednesday 14 January, MEPs voiced their concerns regarding the “high number of infringements of the fundamental rights within the EU”, highlighting cases of discrimination against minorities and threats to the privacy of the citizens. In its adoption, by 401 votes in favour, 220 against and 67 abstentions, of the report by the Italian MEP Giusto Catania (GUE/NGL), the EP has made recommendations for the fight against discrimination and in the fields of immigration policy, social rights and sexual equality.
In recent years, the fight against terrorism has often had the result of a reduced level of protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms, particularly the fundamental right to privacy, protection of personal data and non-discrimination. The EP takes the view that the EU should do more to promote full respect for international standards in this area.
The EP regrets the fact that the member states and the European institutions have not yet implemented the recommendations contained within its resolution of February 2007 on the alleged use made of European countries by the CIA (Central Intelligence Agency) for the transportation and illegal detention of prisoners. The EP welcomes the statement made by Barack Obama on closing the Guantanamo Bay prison and bringing the prisoners before justice. The member states are called upon to declare that they are prepared to work together to seek solutions for the remaining prisoners.
The EP stressed the need to increase public awareness of the rights of women fully to enjoy their right to sexual and reproductive health. They call for access to contraception to be facilitated and for female genetic mutilation practices to be combated.
The MEPs call on all member states which have not yet done so to adopt into their own legislation all provisions on the “stated willingness”. The aim of this is to guarantee, in line with article 8 of the Oviedo Convention on human rights and biomedicine, that any agreement previously expressed regarding medical treatment by a patient who, when the time comes for the treatment, is not in a position to give his or her consent, will be taken into account, and to guarantee the right to dignity, right up to the end of the patient's life.
The EP spoke out against the “segregation” suffered by the Roma in the member states and against “widespread anti-Roma sentiment”, leading to the “frequent denial of their rights by the public authorities and to their political under-representation”. Similarly, the member states are called upon to take legislative measures against the discrimination often met by same-sex couples, and to recognise their partnerships.
The member states and the Commission must “set in place realistic and long-term migration policies and more flexible rules for asylum seekers”, say the MEPs. Lastly, the EP wishes to promote regional and/or minority languages. (B.C./transl.fl)