MEPs expressed their solidarity and support for US women and girls, as well as those involved in both providing abortion services and supporting the right and access to legal and safe care in the current difficult circumstances.
The EP condemned again the backsliding on women’s rights, sexual and reproductive health and related rights in the US and some EU member states.
The right to abortion should be included in the EU’s Charter of Fundamental Rights, MEPs stressed in a resolution adopted by 324 votes to 155 with 38 abstentions on the US Supreme Court’s decision to overturn the right and with the need to ensure this and EU women’s access to sexual and reproductive health. They also stated that a proposal should be submitted to the Council to amend Article 7 of the Charter, adding that everyone has the right to a safe and legal abortion. MEPs expect the European Council to convene an Assembly to discuss the revision of the EU Treaties, as they have already stated in a resolution of 9 June.
MEPs expressed their solidarity and support for US women and girls, as well as those involved in both providing abortion services and supporting the right and access to legal and safe care in the current difficult circumstances.
Therefore, they called on the US Congress to pass a bill that would protect abortion at the federal level.
Parliament also expressed concern about the possible increase in funding of anti-gender groups and those opposed to the right to choose around the world, including in Europe. It called on all Member States to decriminalize abortion and to remove and combat the remaining legal, economic, social and practical restrictions that still impede access.
EU countries should guarantee access to safe, legal and free abortion services, antenatal and maternal health care services, voluntary family planning, youth-friendly services, as well as prevention, treatment and support for HIV, without discrimination, as mentioned in the resolution. In addition, the text emphasizes that the Commission and Member States should strengthen political support for human rights defenders and healthcare providers working to promote sexual and reproductive health and related rights (SRHR).
Relevant information
On June 9, MEPs approved a resolution calling for the landmark case Roe v Wade to be upheld. The decision by the US Supreme Court on June 24 to overturn the guaranteed national protection of abortion rights allows every state in the US to restrict or ban abortion.
Elena Papadimitriou
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