The Federation of Catholic Family Associations if Europe (FAFCE),
report that despite the adoption of a resolution on 10 December last,
nullifying the appalling Sexual and Reproductive Rights agenda set out in the
Estrela report, there is a new attempt to push through this agenda which
consists of abortion on demand, restriction of freedom of conscience,
compulsory sex education at primary and secondary school together with a number
of other issues.
The resolution adopted in December establishes clearly that
the issues involved are solely a national competency, not a matter to be dealt
with by the European Union. The adopted text was an alternative resolution to
the highly controversial and radical report presented by Portuguese MEP Edite
Estrela.
However, what was a victory for the EU citizens who
mobilized in favour of subsidiarity, parental rights, human dignity and freedom
of conscience was considered as a huge defeat by the pro-abortion lobby such as
the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF).
The European Parliament Socialist and Democrats group
(S&D) is now trying to push through the Estrela agenda, which is strongly
supported by the commercial pro-abortion lobby represented by IPPF, Amnesty
international, Marie Stopes International, ILGA Europe, the European Humanist
Federation, the Center for Reproductive Rights and over 30 other NGOs.
The European Parliament plenary agenda scheduled for January
16th includes a Commission statement on “Non-discrimination in the framework of
sexual and reproductive health and rights”, i.e. a position on the behalf of
the European Commission. Clearly the S&D group is attempting to achieve a
new resolution by requesting the use of a procedure foreseen by Rule 110 of the
Parliament.
According to Rule 110
"Members of the Commission, the Council and the European Council may at any time ask the President of Parliament for permission to make a statement." A resolution might be added at a later stage: "When placing a statement with debate on its agenda, Parliament shall decide whether or not to wind up the debate with a resolution."
Clearly the S&D group does not respect the decision of
the parliament or the principle of subsidiarity on the matter of “Sexual and
Reproductive Health and Rights” although it was clearly confirmed by the
plenary on 10 December last.
