Two controversial reports that overstep the EU competence and threatens human dignity

The European Parliament is about to vote on two reports that contain paragraphs that promote a so-called “right to abortion”. If these paragraphs are adopted, the European Parliament would both express support for abortion on behalf of the EU and overstep the competence of the EU, thereby treading on the principle of subsidiarity. I ask everyone to take action against these two controversial reports to be discussed and voted in the European Parliament next week. 

Source: FAFCE (Federation of Catholic Family Associations in Europe)

On 10 December 2013 the European Parliament rejected the so-called Estrela Report on “Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights” (SRHR). In its place, the Members of the European Parliament adopted a resolution that reaffirmed the principle of subsidiarity and clearly stated that “the formulation and implementation of policies on SRHR and on sexual education in schools is a competence of the Member States”.

The message is clear: the EU is not competent to decide on issues such as abortion or sexual education in schools. These are national competences and, by no means, issues to be decided on in Brussels.

Hundreds of thousands citizens opposed the Estrela Report in 2013! An important victory in favour of human dignity, subsidiarity and popular expression! 

Important ground was won through this victory: thanks to the mobilisation of citizens across the European continent the European Parliament rejected a major attempt to promote a “right to abortion” at the EU level. 

However, two reports are currently challenging the principle of subsidiarity as regards “SRHR” by pushing one of the Estrela report’s main points, namely a “right to abortion”.  

The “Tarabella Report”: Mr Tarabella is the rapporteur of the annual European Parliament report on the equality between women and men in the European Union. A similar annual report was rejected in 2014, then known as the “Zuber report”. That report: “Maintains that women must have control over their sexual and reproductive health and rights, not least by having ready access to contraception and abortion” (paragraph 45). 

Mr Tarabella’s move is incoherent as the European Parliament already stated that there is no EU competence on the issue of abortion. Nevertheless, during the meetings of the European Parliament on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality Committee, he has stated his determination to promote a “right to abortion”. It is therefore necessary to reaffirm what the European Parliament said on 10 December 2013. 

The “Panzeri Report”: the Annual Report on human rights and democracy in the world in 2013 and the European Union’s Policy on the matter, presented by Italian MEP Pier Antonio Panzeri from the S&D group, “calls for the EU and its Member States to recognise (…) the right to access voluntary family planning and safe and legal abortion” (paragraph 136). 

Once again EU Citizens need to raise their voices to safeguard the principle of subsidiarity and prevent the newly-elected European Parliament from adopting not one, but two reports that would include a “right to abortion”.

Don't let the EU support abortion!

I therefore invite you to sign this petition launched by the FAFCE to send a strong and united signal from citizens to the European Parliament ahead of the votes that will take place during the European Parliament plenary in Strasbourg on 10 and 12 March. 
 

Sign the petition!Sign the petition!