During the plenary in Brussels (2-3 May 2018) Council and Commission debate with MEPs on Spain’s application of international standards on sexual violence in light of the recent ‘La Manada’ case.

Brussels

debate

plenary session

violence against women (T)

Spain's application of international standards on the definition of sexual violence in light of the recent 'La Manada' case

SOUNDBITE (English), V&#277;ra JOUROV&#193;, Member of the EC in charge of Justice, Consumers and Gender Equality, Allow me to personally wish to the victim of the &ldquo;La Manada case&rdquo; a recovery of both body and soul that were abused two years ago by the most violent act.

SOUNDBITE (English), Vĕra JOUROV&Aacute;, Member of the EC in charge of Justice, Consumers and Gender Equality, The (Istanbul) Convention criminalises sexual violence, including rape. The Convention&lsquo;s definition is in the Article 36 and clearly states that consent must be given voluntarily as a result of the person&lsquo;s free will and that such consent should be assist in the context of the surrounding circumstances.

SOUNDBITE (English), Vĕra JOUROV&Aacute;, Member of the EC in charge of Justice, Consumers and Gender Equality, I understand that the &ldquo;La Manada case&rdquo; is subjected to an appeal and so I cannot comment further on that ongoing process. But, I trust that the Spanish justice system will deliver a swift and fair outcome. Thank you.

SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Rosa ESTAR&#192;S FERRAGUT (EPP, ES), This archaic and stereotyped regulation leads us to see absurd situations that somehow women are responsible of protecting themselves against rape. This obviously has to change but we will have to have a reflexion in a cool headed way and we also urgently need to provide training for all, particularly legal staff, when it comes to gender perspectives.

SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Iratxe GARC&#205;A P&#201;REZ (S&amp;D, ES), In the 21stCentury we cannot allow an attack on freedom, dignity and integrity of women. We are here today to say to the victim of La Manada and to other victims that are in a similar situation that they are not alone, we do believe them. (She holds a paper with the sentence &lsquo;Yo si te creo&rsquo;)

SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Ernest URTASUN (Greens/ALE, ES), We ask to the Spanish Judicial system to rectify this ruling; yes, we can criticise judicial resolutions, because, as any other civil servant, judges are subject to scrutiny; we also need to change the penal code. I don&rsquo;t know who wrote the penal code in 1995, but I know who has ratified the Istanbul Convention and it is up to the Spanish government to modify the current Spanish pedal code to adapt it to the article 36 (of the Convention). Also the European Commission needs to work with the member states which have not yet adapted their penal codes to the fact that without consent there is a felony of rape.

SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Tania GONZ&#193;LEZ PE&#209;AS (GUE/NGL, ES), Colleagues, only &lsquo;yes&rsquo; means &lsquo;yes&rsquo;. If there is no explicit and valid consent, then there is rape. This is the definition by the Istanbul Convention, which only 6 member states have adopted. There cannot be space for interpretations; we are confronted with a lack of protection, uncertainty and social alarm. The EU must provide certainty to women.