VP/HR — Criminalisation of voluntary pregnancy termination in El Salvador
3.5.2016
Question for written answer E-003724-16
to the Commission (Vice-President/High Representative)
Rule 130
Ernest Urtasun (Verts/ALE)
The criminalisation of voluntary pregnancy terminations in El Salvador, even in cases where the health or life of the pregnant woman is at risk, has particularly serious consequences, given the health emergency caused by the current Zika epidemic in the country. Infection with the Zika virus during pregnancy can cause the gestating foetus to have serious malformations, such as microcephaly[1]. Inability to access a legal and safe abortion in such conditions can be seen as a form of violence against women.
Our question for the VP/HR is on relations between the EU and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), particularly the gender section of the action plan, which promotes cooperation between the two regions on eliminating gender-based violence.
Will the EU use the EU-Central America Political Dialogue and Cooperation to urge El Salvador to comply with the recommendations from the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights[2], which state that the country must bring its abortion legislation in line with international standards and allow women facing this issue to make an informed, free and independent decision on whether to continue or terminate their pregnancy?