The first directive on gender violence is a reality. The European Parliament voted in its last plenary session in Strasbourg before the European elections by an overwhelming majority, with 522 votes in favor, on this new regulation. It introduces stricter laws to criminalize cyber violence, female genital mutilation or forced marriage in all European Union countries, although the crime of negotiation was left out, due to the rejection of several countries.
The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, promised in her State of the Union speech at the beginning of her mandate that she would promise that the European Union would have a law on violence against women, something that was considered a clear nod to the most progressive forces in the European Parliament. Today it has become a reality, although slightly less ambitious than what was proposed.
The new regulations will specifically include the prohibition of crimes such as the dissemination of intimate images without consent, something already included in countries like Spain, but not in others, also female genital mutilation, forced marriage, or those known as “honor crimes.” ”. Better access to sexual and reproductive health services, and protected accommodation for victims of sexist violence, is also planned.
Although in some countries many of these crimes are already prosecuted by the criminal code, in others they are not. Therefore, this directive allows all these crimes to be prosecuted in any state of the Union.
It puts an end to a long and difficult legislative process that was at some point on the verge of being derailed. Both the European Commission in its proposal, and the European Parliament in its negotiations, insisted that the law should include the classification of the crime of rape, especially the inclusion and lack of consent, inspired by the Law of only yes means yes. Spanish. It was not achieved, the rejection of countries such as Poland, Hungary, but also France and Germany—the latter insisted that there were legal doubts that prevented it—made it impossible.
The general impression after the negotiation is that “the common good” took precedence, and that it is better to have a law than nothing at all. During the negotiations, Parliament made a commitment that countries will be obliged to raise awareness among the population about the fact that having sexual relations without consent is considered a crime. The MEPs also required that within five years, the Commission produce a report to determine whether the legislation should be reviewed. “Rape is left out in the criminal part, but not in the preventive part and support for victims, due to the lack of responsibility of France and Germany, although it is only a matter of time,” argued MEP María Eugenia Rodríguez Palop. , from the Left group.
After the vote, the feeling was at the end of celebration. “Parliament has taken the first steps to make Europe the first continent to end violence against women,” said Frances Fitzgerald, one of the negotiators of the European Parliament, from the European People’s Party.
