Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2012-04-17-Speech-2-038-000"
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"en.20120417.14.2-038-000"2
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"Madam President, I should like to congratulate Richard Howitt on the content and level of detail in his report and the High Representative, Baroness Ashton, on her firm commitment to human rights. We now need to learn the lessons of our times and engage in a little self-criticism. We need to show that we have learned from our mistakes. Unfortunately, the West and the Member States of the European Union have actively or passively supported dictatorships in North Africa for years in the name of an artificial stability. It has now become clear, and I think that we all understand, that long-term stability is impossible without respect for human rights and democracy. If we really want the European Union to be a reliable player on the international stage, it is high time that we stopped applying double standards to human rights.
All aid offered to third countries should be accompanied by effective pressure to make real improvements in this sector. Within this framework, the human rights clause in trade agreements between the Union and third countries is an important instrument and suitable use should be made of it, while it should generally be made clear that the ‘more for more’ approach also means ‘less for less’. It is also important for the Member States to present a united front at the UN and in other important international fora. We therefore welcome the adoption of general guidelines on statements by the European Union at international fora. However, we must, at the same time, repeat our call for regular consultation between ambassadors of EU Member States, in order to improve coordination in the common endeavour to promote and defend human rights.
I should like to make two final points: first of all, the need to defend religious freedom is self-evident. However, we must fight for the freedom of all religious groups without exception, not only Christian groups, as called for by certain groups in this Parliament. Finally, I wish to comment on the question of women’s reproductive rights. A woman’s right over her body is a very important human right. It is a right to dignity and freedom. For all of us for whom freedom is a non-negotiable right, a woman’s right over her body is crucial."@en1
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