During the EP plenary session (5-8 February 2018) in Strasbourg, MEPs debate on female genital mutilation. Statements by Vilija BLINKEVIČIŪTĖ (S&D, LT), Rapporteur, Vĕra JOUROVÁ, Member of the EC in charge of Justice, Consumers and Gender Equality, Anna Maria CORAZZA BILDT (EPP, SE), Iratxe GARCÍA PÉREZ (S&D, ES), Angelika MLINAR (ALDE, AT), Malin BJÖRK (GUE/NGL, SE) and Jordi SOLE (Greens/EFA, ES).

Strasbourg

debate

plenary session

JOUROVÁ, Věra (EC)

GARCÍA PÉREZ, Iratxe (S&D, ES)

BJÖRK, Malin (The Left, SE)

SOLÉ, Jordi (Greens/EFA, ES)

CORAZZA BILDT, Anna Maria (EPP, SE)

violence against women (T)

female genital mutilations (T)

MLINAR, Angelika (ALDE, AT)

BLINKEVIČIŪTĖ, Vilija (S&D, LT)

Zero Tolerance for female genital mutilation: extracts from the debate

SOUNDBITE (Lithuanian), Vilija BLINKEVI&#268;I&#362;T&#278; (S&amp;D, LT), Rapporteur , We should insure that criminal persecution could be possible that it would serve as a deterrent to protect potential victims. It must also be said that FGM is one of the most predictable forms of gender based violence and therefore I should urge the Commission and the member states to guarantee strong preventive action in refugee camps.

SOUNDBITE (English), V&#277;ra JOUROV&#193;, Member of the EC in charge of Justice, Consumers and Gender Equality, We must keep in mind these real stories, real women and girls, we must think about them, we must work for them and we must fight against those who are committing these horrible crimes.

SOUNDBITE (English), V&#277;ra JOUROV&#193;, Member of the EC in charge of Justice, Consumers and Gender Equality, It is not always the easiest way leading to the ratification (Istanbul Convention) and recently we experienced very, very worrying signals in several member states, bringing into the discussion the issues of ideology and religion, but the convention is clearly about protecting girls and women from violence, based on the fact that they are women nothing else and nothing less.

SOUNDBITE (English), Anna Maria CORAZZA BILDT (EPP, SE), We call once again on all member states to ratify and enforce the Convention fully. It provides and criminalises FGM, provides strict sanctions and medical of psychological support for the victims. All member states must to more, faster and better to come with impunity, bringing perpetrators to justice, work on prevention, identifying girls at risk, provide access to health care and reproductive services.

SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Iratxe GARC&#205;A P&#201;REZ (S&amp;D, ES), This is a form of violence which leads to women ask and calling for asylum in the European Union, so we need to ensure that is possible. All these women who are requesting asylum in the European Union can keep their status as refugees, so that we can ensure that this reality is recognised. This is the worst kind of gender-based violence and there needs to be a European strategy to tackle it.

SOUNDBITE (German), Angelika MLINAR (ALDE, AT), I want member states the mainstream their prevention of FGM into all sectors, health, social work, asylum, education, child protection and media. Cross-sectorial Corporation is the key to fight this in-Human practice. This corporations will serve to disseminate acquired knowledge and foster an enabling environment for collective social change.

SOUNDBITE (English), Malin BJ&#214;RK (GUE/NGL, SE), Girls who run the risk of mutilation need to be given asylum. There are many women&rsquo;s organisations that work continually against this phenomena, but what we don&rsquo;t want is for the racists of Europe to use this kind of violence against women to support their racist policies.

SOUNDBITE (English), Jordi SOLE (Greens/EFA, ES), Working together with communities is key to achieve the abandon of this practice. Families from practicing communities who live in Europe, must have the opportunity to participate in debates about sexuality, women&rsquo;s rights and female mutilation. We know that the active involvement of the schools, the professionals and men in this debate is fundamental to break the silence that surrounds this harmful practice.