Petition to: EU Commission and MEPs
STOP Estrela Again! Unbelievably for the third time! Against the will of the citizens
STOP Estrela Again! Unbelievably for the third time! Against the will of the citizens
On Thursday 16 January, the European Commission will deliver a "Statement on Non-discrimination in the framework of sexual and reproductive health and rights" at the European Parliament plenary session in Strasbourg.
The most prominent defeat ever of the abortion lobby and the sexual left at an international institution was the Estrela resolution on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights. The Estrela resolution provoked the most massive voter's protest over an EP resolution ever experienced in all EU Member States. As a result, the EP changed its mind. It states in its resolution on 10 December 2013 "the formulation and implementation of policies on SRHR and on sexual education in schools is a competence of the Member States".
This resolution shall now be overturned by the European Parliament with the help of the European Commission. To do so, the EU Commission will deliver a statement on non-discrimination and SRHR to the Parliament.
One problem is the wording. In declaring SRHR and abortion a "non-discrimination" issue, the EU-Commission can take any action because "non-discrimination" falls within its specific responsibilities. The policy issue of abortion is just interpreted as long as necessary to fit into the convenient political solution.
Another problem is the procedure and the Rules of the European Parliament: if the EU-Commission declares whatsoever, the EP can vote a follow-up resolution on that declaration. By using this rule, the pro-abortion lobby will get its Estrela resolution directly in plenary after having failed during the normal committee procedure.
Members of European Parliament or a political group must table an amendment until Monday 13 January 16 h to request a separate vote on this agenda item, in order to vote it out the agenda. There is no need for a new debate because Parliament debated one year long on this issue. Without an EU-Commission statement, there is no risk for a surprise "follow-up resolution on abortion".
EU-Commission President José-Manuel BARROSO and the concerned EU-Commissioners for Health (Tonio BORG, Malta), for Fundamental Rights (Viviane REDING, Luxemburg), for inter-institutional relations (Maros SEFCOVIC, Slovakia), and for Home Affairs (Cecilia MALMSTRÖM, Sweden) must withdraw their proposal to speak on this issue before the European Parliament. It is very important to contact the grey eminence of the EU Commission, Secretary General Mrs Catherine Day (UK).