WRITTEN QUESTION E-0311/00 by Marietta Giannakou-Koutsikou (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Legislation on the abuse of women.
28. 12. 2000 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 374 E/55 For this reason the four French Overseas Departments that are eligible under Objective 1 will see a considerable increase in their level of per capita aid between the periods 1994-1999 and 2000-2006. This is a remarkable and necessary step, but plans for enlargement to include the central and eastern European countries are already in hand and are likely to upset the present balance considerably. What measures is the Commission proposing to ensure that the impact of enlargement on the allocation of the Structural Funds does not worsen the situation for the Unionís regions that are most disadvantaged, and particularly the outermost regions? Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission (21 March 2000) The Sixth Periodic Report on the socio-economic situation and development of the regions of the European Union indicates that, in 1996, the average per capita GDP of the regions eligible during 1994- 1999 under Objective 1 of the Structural Funds was 68 % of the Community average. In respect of the current programming period (2000-2006), the list of regions eligible under Objective 1 and the distribution among the Member States of the Structural Fund resources allocated to these regions were approved by the Commission on 1 July 1999. These decisions will not be modified as a result of enlargement. This means that the French overseas departments will remain eligible under Objective 1 throughout the period 2000 to 2006, while the resources allocated to them under Objective 1 will be EUR 254 million at 1999 prices. As regards the future of cohesion policy, the Second Report on Cohesion which the Commission will be adopting at the end of 2000 will in particular analyse the situation of the regions in the context of a broader Union. Based on the conclusions to be drawn from enlargement, it will be looking at various options that will open up beyond 2006. (2000/C 374 E/064) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0311/00 by Marietta Giannakou-Koutsikou (PPE-DE) to the Commission (11 February 2000) Subject: Legislation on the abuse of women Recent research has shown that 98 % of the victims of violence in the European Union are women, and that one in five women has been physically abused by her husband. It is believed that the number of women who are the victims of physical, sexual or psychological violence both in the family environment and outside is far higher than usually publicly acknowledged, partly out of an understandable desire to shield society and partly because of intimidation. A firm response is needed in so far as existing legislation in this area either contains loopholes or, in some countries, actually fosters a tolerant attitude towards every kind of violence against women. Does the Commission intend to submit proposals aimed at: 1. Strengthening legislation to protect women from physical, sexual and psychological abuse? 2. Supporting social care programmes by setting up special centres, increasing public awareness and generally providing more information, so as to make it easier to report such events to the authorities? C 374 E/56 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 28. 12. 2000 Answer given by Mr Vitorino on behalf of the Commission (14 April 2000) The Commission shares the concern of the Honourable Member concerning abuse of women. In general the primary responsibility for legislating to protect women from all forms of abuse remains with the Member States. The Commission respects the principle of subsidiarity in this field. Nevertheless, the Commission has paid considerable attention to this problem at Community level. In particular, it has organised the Campaign against Violence against Women which will conclude with a conference in Lisbon in May 2000. This has involved many organisations in the fight against violence. As regards trafficking in women and sexual exploitation of children, including child pornography on the Internet the Commission intends to present detailed proposals with a view to approximating the criminal laws of the Member States. The proposals will also include the issue of temporary permits of stay for victims who are ready to provide evidence in front of courts. One objective of the proposals is to strengthen legislation at European level to protect women from the abuse and violation of human rights that trafficking and sexual exploitation represents. Furthermore, the Commission manages the Daphne Programme, which combats violence in all its forms against women and children, as well as the STOP Programme, which combats the trafficking of human beings and the sexual exploitation of children. The Commission seeks to set up, within these programmes, networks throughout the Community involving organisations, both public and private, active in the fight against violence. Its aim is to encourage the exchange of information and best practice in the field. Although the Commission cannot itself support the physical costs of setting up special centres to protect women against abuse ü these costs are for the Member States ü the Daphne and STOP programmes also contribute to increasing public awareness and providing information. The Commission seeks in this way to encourage victims of abuse to make contact with the appropriate authorities. (2000/C 374 E/065) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0313/00 by Marietta Giannakou-Koutsikou (PPE-DE) to the Commission Subject: Safeguarding the social rights of gypsies (11 February 2000) It is a deplorable fact that a large number of travelling population groups, and notably gypsies, in the European Union and Europe in general live on the fringes of ü or even outside ü the existing social framework. There are abundant examples which support the view that gypsies usually suffer from social exclusion and enjoy only limited social rights to health, welfare and education. This is due to a combination of many different factors, such as social prejudice, the absence of any consistent state intervention and widespread attitudes which almost amount to breaking the law (i. e. in respect of gypsiesí rights), even though these attitudes are held unconsciously. the Commission say whether it Will intends to promote or support uniform or special social aid programmes for gypsies, with a view to increasing social awareness of gypsies, maintaining their civil identity and respecting the separate ethnic identities of the specific population groups involved? Answer given by Mrs Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission (7 April 2000) Combating exclusion has been specifically set as an objective of the Community and the Member States by the Amsterdam Treaty. Although the primary responsibility for preventing and combating social exclusion lies with the Member States, the Community can and must help where it can make a real additional