Funds from the EU budget and the provision of sexual and reproductive health services in the Chinese Provinces
23.5.2012
Question for written answer E-005233/2012
to the Commission
Rule 117
Konrad Szymański (ECR) and Martin Kastler (PPE)
In 2000, Marie Stopes International received funding from the Commission to provide family planning and abortion services in China. Marie Stopes International offers these services in partnership with the provincial Population and Family Planning Commissions of China. In 2007, Marie Stopes International received EUR 621 770 from the Development and Cooperation Instrument (under the heading ‘Theme II/Increasing equitable access to HIV/AIDS information and services within a comprehensive sexual and reproductive health and rights programme serving the poorest and most at risk groups and those living with of affected by HIV/AIDS’) and under budget line 21 05 03 (‘Human and social development — Completion of former cooperation’). There is well-documented evidence of forced abortion, sterilisation and infanticide in the Chinese Provinces. At the same time, the EU budget has specific provisions prohibiting and combating forced sterilisation.
- —Is the Commission aware of the relationship between Marie Stopes International and the Chinese Provinces in connection with the provision of sexual and reproductive health services?
- —Does the Commission know whether Marie Stopes International is currently using Development and Cooperation Instrument funds for the provision of sexual and reproductive health services in the Chinese Provinces?
- —If it is, can the Commission demonstrate that none of these funds are used in connection with coercive abortion, sterilisation or infanticide?
OJ C 254 E, 04/09/2013