Ban of associations promoting paedophilia

12.4.2013

Question for written answer E-004140-13
to the Commission
Rule 117
Frédérique Ries (ALDE)

Protecting the rights of the child, respecting their fundamental rights and, more specifically, fighting against sexual abuse and the sexual exploitation of children are priorities for the European authorities. The advent of new means of communication, in particular the Internet, constitutes a challenge for Member States, who must equip themselves with increasingly effective tools in order to fight the promotion of acts of paedophilia.

Flaws do exist, however, as demonstrated by the incomprehensible decision taken on 4 May by the Dutch judiciary to lift the ban on the paedophile association Martijn in the name of freedom of expression. On its website, the Martijn association describes itself as ‘a platform for discussion on paedophilia’ that ‘fights for social and societal acceptance of adult-child relationships’, and takes the view that ‘in consensual relationships between children and adults, the possibility of physical intimacy should not pose an issue’. This beyond-scandalous decision is in complete contradiction with the Council of Europe Convention on the Protection of Children, adopted in Lanzarote and ratified by the Netherlands in 2007. Pursuant to this document, associations promoting paedophilia should be banned throughout Europe.

In view of the above, does the Commission envisage strengthening the European legal framework as a matter of urgency to enable the pure and simple dissolution of this type of association, without authorising the principle of freedom of expression to be used as an alibi?

Furthermore, what does it intend to do in the specific case of the Martijn association?

OJ C 20 E, 23/01/2014