Women on Waves making waves in the EP
Since the end of August 2004, the Portuguese government has banned the Dutch boat belonging to the association "Women on Waves" from any Portuguese ports. "The incident is making waves right across Europe", said Lissy Gröner, PES co-ordinator on the Committee on Women's Rights and Gender Equality, in the plenary on 16th September 2004.

The association "Women on Waves" was invited by other women associations and organisations in Portugal to provide information about pregnancy terminations, contraceptives and the easiest form of obtaining an abortion or the abortion pill.

 

"We are talking about freedom of thought and freedom of decision. The Portuguese government decided that two important laws on the internal market and freedom of movement could be thrown overboard. We in the Socialist group cannot accept this, which is why we are turning to the Commission and the Council to ask them what they intend to do about this incident.

 

This very important issue has to be addressed to the incoming Commission because we want to make it abundantly clear that this kind of response is unacceptable", pointed out Gröner.

 

"A lot of publicity has been devoted to this incident. Many women in the EU feel that their freedoms are being put at risk. This is the kind of a risk we simply cannot accept. If we look at the Treaties, it is true that national governments may curtail freedom of movement, but only in cases of national security, for example acts of terrorism. But really, can you say that this specific case is truly a threat to national security", asked Gröner.

"The EP has to address this issue regardless of different views. We want to ensure that all women in Europe get hold of the requisite information on the healthiest means of contraception and termination of unwanted pregnancy. Women have to be allowed to make up their own minds freely about what they want", stressed Gröner.

Associated media

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