WRITTEN QUESTION E-0542/03 by José Ribeiro e Castro (UEN) to the Commission. Definition of population — Abortion.
Date: 2003-02-26
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: European Commission, abortion, aid policy, demography, development aid, ethics, health aid, reproductive health

C 33 E/52

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

6.2.2004

Answer given by Mr Nielson on behalf of the Commission

(22 April 2003)

The Commission is aware of the existence of Export Processing Zones (EPZ), which have played a major
role in Mauritius’ development over the past 30 years.

The Commission is also aware that, in general terms, EPZs have frequently been criticised for providing
sub-standard working conditions and for discouraging unions. In Mauritius the labour market for the
export sector was effectively segmented from the rest of the economy, and exporting firms were able to
flexibly expand or reduce the labour force in response to changing market conditions. The recent increase
in the number of illegal work stoppages in Mauritius’ EPZs indicates that the otherwise extensive system of
regulation is not entirely effective. New developments in international trade and labour patterns in relation
to EPZs could also affect the situation of the EPZs in Mauritius. In that context, the International Labour
Organisation (ILO) has intensified its work on employment and social policy in respect of EPZs. The ILO
has reported on some problems which occurred in Mauritius relating to the recruitment of an employment
practices for migrant workers and other issues such as working time (1).

The Commission would not agree that the EPZs in Mauritius have not resulted in local development. The
EPZs, together with sugar, tourism and financial services, are considered one of the four pillars continuing
to drive economic activity. Mauritius has successfully woven EPZs into its industrialisation process through
the establishment of durable links between the EPZs and domestic suppliers, thus maximising the potential
the zones offer in terms of employment creation.

The Commission does indeed deplore the abuse of labour legislation in Mauritius, as elsewhere. In this
respect it should be recalled that the Community is committed to applying the ILO Core Labour Standards.
Furthermore, the Commission has recently strengthened its co-operation with the ILO, which covers the
world-wide promotion of core labour standards,
the promotion of decent work including poverty
eradication and the promotion of the social dimension of globalisation. The Community has also agreed to
promote the application of core labour standards in the framework of bilateral and multilateral agreements
with developing countries. A good example is Article 50 of the Cotonou Agreement; in this Article, the
Community and the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) States have reaffirmed their commitment to the
ILO Core Labour Standards.

The negotiations of Economic Partnership Agreements between the Union and ACP states will be an
opportunity to intensify the dialogue and co-operation on how to implement this commitment through
concrete actions.

(1) http://www.ilo.org/public/english/standards/relm/gb/docs/gb286/pdf/esp-3.pdf.

(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’ (cid:1) Abortion

On the web site
lation_en.htm, the Commission offers the following strange definition of the term ‘population’:

found at http://www.europa.eu.int/comm/development/sector/social/popu-

to be

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.

6.2.2004

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Official Journal of the European Union

C 33 E/53

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 Sandbæk 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:

(cid:1) how does the Commission explain the situation and definition referred to above?

(cid:1) does it officially stand by such a definition?

(cid:1) 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
improve environmental protection and reduce unsustainable consumption and production
progress,
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).