European Conservative and UKIP members of the European Parliament have stalled progress on a bill which calls for universal access to sexual and reproductive health and rights throughout Europe.
Conservative Party MEPs, as well as other politicians from UKIP and other parties, voted to delay the passing of legislation that would ensure young people are entitled to decent sex education.
Keith Taylor, the Green Party’s MEP for the South East of England, said:
“The Conservatives and UKIP are doing all they can to delay the passing of this important report.
“If passed the report could have moved Europe towards guaranteeing that young people have access to age-relevent sex education that protects their health and well being. The report would also have pushed for LGBT people to have access to non-discriminatory information about sexual orientation and gender identity.
“Unfortunately regressive forces voted to delay this excellent report today.”
The Report on sexual and reproductive rights calls for universal access to sexual and reproductive health and rights throughout Europe. This includes safe and legal abortion services; comprehensive sexuality education; teaching about negative LGBTI stereotypes; or the prevention and treatment of sexually-transmitted diseases.
The non-binding report also contains several recommendations in favour of LGBTI people, including recommendations against the mandatory sterilisation of transgender persons; universal access to medically assisted procreation for single women and lesbian couples; or the right to access non-discriminatory information about sexual orientation and gender identity.
The report has been referred back to the Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality where it was voted through at its last reading.
Commenting on the vote Ulrike Lunacek MEP, Co-President of the LGBT Intergroup and spokesperson for the Greens/EFA group, said:
“It was shameful. Right-wing bigots from the EFD, ECR and EPP groups argued against this report, and women’s right to a safe and healthy reproductive and sexual life.”
“They bullied the chamber into taking a vote which shouldn’t have taken place, and then booed the Rapporteur when she took the floor.”