On 25 September 2019, Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) Petra de Sutter and Sophie in ‘t Veld released a statement on behalf of the group MEPs for Sexual and Reproductive Rights, of which they are co-chairs. The statement was about the US initiative against sexual and reproductive health and rights in the United Nations. It was addressed to Federica Mogherini, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, and Neven Mimica, the European Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development.
The statement condemned the attempt by the US to undermine international cooperation on SRHR. It expressed regret that some EU states, including Hungary and Poland, had signed the US statement. And it called on the European Union to stand united for the rights of women and girls.
Lastly, it called for action and requested answers to the following questions:
– What will the Commission do to make sure that the EU commitment to SRHR will be reconfirmed and even reinforced, particularly to counter the US initiative?
– What specifically will the Commission do to make sure this will be the joint EU position shared by all member states?
– Will the Commission recommit and report on the implementation of the Commission policy, as announced in a letter on 11 September 2015, to ensure access to safe and legal abortion for female victim of war rape.
FULL TEXT OF STATEMENT: MEPs for SRHR, 25 September 2019