B4-0862/96

Resolution on the non-participation by women from certain countries at the Olympic Games

The European Parliament,

- having regard to the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms,

- having regard to the Final Declaration and Platform for Action adopted in September 1995 in Beijing at the United Nations Fourth World Conference on Women: Action for Equality, Development and Peace,

- having regard to the Olympic Charter which declares that all forms of discrimination based on reasons of race, religion, political opinion, sex or other are contrary to the Olympic movement (Rule 3, Chapter 1),

A. whereas the Olympic Games open on 19 July 1996 in Atlanta,

B. whereas women's rights are human rights; whereas full implementation of the human rights of women and of the girl child is an inalienable, integral and indivisible part of all human rights and fundamental freedoms,

C. whereas 35 mainly Islamic countries nominated only men for participation in the previous Olympic Games,

D. whereas this situation has been condemned by the Atlanta Plus Committee,

E. whereas the dress code for women in many of these countries prohibits sporting activities even if women's participation is not forbidden as such, thus leading to the same result, namely non-participation,

F. whereas the Olympic Games have always been considered as one of the few universal gatherings of people of all nations, irrespective of cultures, religions or race, apart from nations with declared apartheid; whereas participation in sporting activities and international competitions is an excellent opportunity, irrespective of background, for young people to meet and exchange views, thus fostering mutual understanding and peace,

G. whereas denying competition to women discourages them as a whole from taking part in sports and is thus prejudicial to their health, given that the World Health Organisation (WHO) recognises sport as a means of preventing or limiting various serious illnesses,

H. whereas to bar women from participation borders on 'gender discrimination¨ and is, therefore, a violation of human rights,

I. whereas for many years the European Parliament, international institutions and the International Olympic Committee steadfastly and effectively campaigned against the apartheid suffered by blacks in South Africa,

1. Condemns the prohibition of some governments which prevents women from participating in the Olympic Games;

2. Strongly advises against European Union support or cooperation, whether material, financial or in any other form, with countries which effectively implement 'gender discrimination¨ by barring female citizens from participating in the Olympic Games;

3. Observes that the example mentioned above is part of a more general discrimination which affects women in certain Islamic countries;

4. Asks the Council to call for a ban on participation in future Olympic Games of countries which exercise 'gender discrimination¨;

5. Recalls that sport and politics have seldom been separate issues, despite frequent claims to the contrary;

6. Asks the Commission and Council to work actively in all fora possible for the Olympic Games and other international sporting events to be open to all with full regard to equal participation of men and women;

7. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the governments of the Member States, the United Nations and the International Olympic Committee.