EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 33/52

(2004/C 33 E/049)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0542/03

by José Ribeiro e Castro (UEN) to the Commission

(26 February 2003)

Subject: Definition of ‘population’ — Abortion

On the web site to be found at http://www.europa.eu.int/comm/development/sector/social/population_en.htm, the Commission offers the following strange definition of the term ‘population’:

The term ‘population’ is an umbrella term now used to describe issues relating to demography and reproductive and sexual health and rights. This can include issues such as contraception, abortion, safe motherhood, early child care, gender-based and sexual violence, and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), including HIV/AIDS. ‘Population’ issues relate to men, women, adolescents and children.

This definition differs from all dictionaries in common use and is giving rise to serious anxiety about the Commission's real policies, especially where possible advocacy of abortion is concerned.

I already raised the matter at the time of the recent discussions on the Sandbaek report on the proposal for a European Parliament and Council regulation on aid for policies and actions on reproductive and sexual health and rights in developing countries.

Can the Commission answer the following:

— how does the Commission explain the situation and definition referred to above?

— does it officially stand by such a definition?

— what does it infer from the definition with regard to its policies or; has it taken steps to put matters right?

Answer given by Mr Nielson on behalf of the Commission

(4 April 2003)

The Community uses ‘population’ as umbrella term in its Development policy in reference to the policies and principles agreed at the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD), held in Cairo in 1994. At that conference, 179 countries endorsed a Programme of Action that recognised the links between population, poverty and sustainable development. Population was broadened to encompass not only demography but also reproductive and sexual health and rights. Paramount to this was the role of women and their empowerment. ‘Efforts to slow population growth, reduce poverty, achieve economic progress, improve environmental protection and reduce unsustainable consumption and production patterns are mutually reinforcing. Sustained economic growth within the context of sustainable development is essential to eradicate poverty. Eradicating poverty will contribute to slowing population growth and to achieving early population stabilisation. Women are generally the poorest of the poor. They are also key actors in the development process. Eliminating all forms of discrimination against women is thus a prerequisite for eradicating poverty, promoting sustained economic growth, ensuring quality family planning and reproductive health services, and achieving balance between population and available resources.’ (Chapter 3 of Programme of Action: http://www.un.org/ecosocdev/geninfo/populatin/icpd.htm#chapter3)

In order to give concrete examples of this broader concept of population which includes reproductive and sexual health and rights, the Commission website lists several subjects which fall under this umbrella term. Abortion is mentioned as one of these subjects since it is part of reproductive health care as defined in ICPD (1). The Community policy on abortion follows the ICPD guiding principles on abortion. A policy which was endorsed by 179 countries. The Commissioner responsible for Development has clearly stated in a letter to Members of Parliament (13 January 2003) that ‘ … we aim, through our support for reproductive health programmes, to prevent the need for abortion. However, we recognise that unsafe abortion is a reality and causes the unnecessary deaths of many women each year … Where abortion is legal for given indications it should be safe … The Commission regards national legislation as paramount when it comes to the question of abortion being performed within the formal health care system. We do not support abortion policies as a means to limit population growth in developing countries and we are strongly opposed to forced abortion’.

(1) Reproductive health care is defined as the constellation of methods and techniques and services that contribute to reproductive health and well-being through preventing and solving reproductive health problems. (Programme of Action, ICPD).