Buzek on the European Campaign "End Female Genital Mutilations"

On the occasion of the International Day of Elimination of Violence against Women (25 November), President Buzek expressed his support for the European Campaign "End Female Genital Mutilations". President Buzek stated:  

"Women are the flowers of our life. I strongly support the campaign to end female genital mutilation worldwide.  

I invite all members of this House to wear a petal of rose to show their support to stop the atrocity of genital mutilation of 8000 girls per day.

European Parliament highlights once again that female genital mutilation is a serious assault on women's health and a violation of human rights, as well as a savage breach of the integrity and personality of women and girls.  

We call again on the Member States to take appropriate measures to stop female genital mutilation and to take the necessary measures to prosecute all persons who conduct genital mutilation. This is a crime and it should be so punished."

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Note to editors:  

The "Sign a rose petal" action will last throughout the 16 days of activism against gender violence (25 November - 10 December 2010) with public stands in a number of locations across the EU. For details of public stands and sign up areas or to sign a rose petal online, go to www.endfgm.eu Members of the European Parliament will receive a symbolic rose petal to wear it on the 25 November 2010 in the chamber.

European Parliament´s resolution on combating female genital mutilation
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=TA&reference=P6-TA-2009-0161&format=XML&language=EN

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For further information:

Robert A. Golański
Deputy Spokesman
Mobile: +32 475 751 663

Delia Vlase
Press Officer,
Mobile: +32 476 331 038