An EU strategy to put an end to female genital mutilation around the world (B9-0090/2020, B9-0092/2020)
Billy Kelleher (Renew). – Madam President, I voted in favour of this resolution, and I also spoke on this particular issue in 2011 when Ireland brought forward legislation to the parliament to ban this insidious barbaric act.
Regardless of culture, religion or creed, this is something that goes against the fundamental principles of bodily integrity and of right to life and a right to health, so from all these perspectives, I welcome the resolution, and I ask the Commission, and I ask Member States in particular across the European Union, to ensure that legislation is robust in national parliaments to address this particular issue, to ensure that there are prosecutions of people who partake in female genital mutilation and encourage it and facilitate it.
Equally, we have to ensure that we have in place support through our health services so that victims – people who have been genitally mutilated – have the confidence to seek support, to seek assistance if they need it in the context of the damage that it does to their health. I commend the motion and I ask national parliaments to endorse it as well in legislation.