On including the right to abortion in the EU Fundamental Rights Charter
B-9-2024-0205
on behalf of the S&D Group · Rapporteur: Predrag Fred Matić, Cyrus Engerer, Iratxe García Pérez, Evelyn Regner, Katarina Barley, Heléne Fritzon, Gabriele Bischoff, Maria Noichl, Birgit Sippel, Robert Biedroń, Laura Ballarín Cereza, Vilija Blinkevičiūtė, Sylvie Guillaume, Evin Incir, Marina Kaljurand, Łukasz Kohut, MariaManuel LeitãoMarques, Radka Maxová, Alessandra Moretti, Matjaž Nemec, Carina Ohlsson, Thijs Reuten, Isabel Santos, Vera Tax
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A resolution calling for sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), including safe and legal abortion, to be recognised as fundamental rights and added to the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights.¶¶¶ It urges the European Council to launch a Convention to revise the Treaties and add sexual and reproductive healthcare and the right to safe and legal abortion to the Charter. It condemns backsliding on women's rights and calls on member states to fully decriminalise abortion, remove barriers and guarantee access to safe, legal and free abortion care and related services.¶¶¶ It calls on Poland and Malta to repeal restrictive abortion laws, and asks the Commission to stop EU funding for organisations working against gender equality and reproductive rights.¶ It asks member states to fund SRHR services, make abortion part of medical training, and support civil society and human rights defenders, including through EU programmes.¶¶¶ It calls for the EU to advocate recognition of the right internationally and to ratify the European Convention on Human Rights.¶
Key points
- Recalls that SRHR are fundamental human rights that must be protected and cannot be watered down or withdrawn.¶
- Recalls the EU's commitment to every individual's bodily autonomy and free decisions on sexuality and reproductive rights, free from discrimination, coercion and violence.¶
- Urges the European Council to launch a Convention to revise the Treaties and add sexual and reproductive healthcare and the right to safe and legal abortion to the Charter.¶
- Condemns backsliding on women's rights and regressive attempts to restrict SRHR, and threats and harassment against human rights defenders and civil society.¶
- Is concerned about the surge in funding for anti-gender and anti-choice groups and calls on the Commission to ensure such organisations do not receive EU funding.¶
- Urges member states to fully decriminalise abortion in line with 2022 WHO guidelines; calls on Poland and Malta to repeal their bans and restrictions.¶
- Urges member state governments to guarantee access to safe, legal and free abortion care, maternal healthcare, family planning, contraception and youth-friendly services without discrimination.¶
- Condemns denial of abortion by medical practitioners and institutions using the 'conscience' clause, especially where delay endangers the patient's life or health.¶
- Calls on member states to ensure the full range of SRHR services, including sexuality education, free contraception and family planning counselling, with attention to disadvantaged groups.¶
- Calls on member states and local governments to increase spending and direct subsidies to healthcare, family planning services and other organisations in this field.¶
- Urges member state governments to make abortion methods and procedures an obligatory part of medical curricula, particularly for gynaecology students.¶
- Calls on member states to remove legal, financial, social and practical barriers to abortion, including those disproportionately affecting women in poverty and single-parent households.¶
Who is affected
- Member states: urged to decriminalise abortion, remove barriers and guarantee access to SRHR services.¶¶¶
- Poland and Malta: called on to repeal their abortion bans and restrictions.
- Medical practitioners and institutions: condemned for denying abortion under the 'conscience' clause.¶
- Civil society organisations and SRHR human rights defenders: encouraged and to be supported politically and financially.¶
- The Commission: asked to ensure anti-gender organisations do not receive EU funding.¶