International

Today the European Parliament will vote on a report calling on the member states to guarantee the sexual and reproductive rights of women. The SP will vote against it. SP Euro-MP Dennis de Jong explains: ‘Of course the SP also views it as important that these rights are well regulated. We have, however, always been assured that the EU was not going to get involved in matters such as abortion, because they have no competence in this area. In my own report on criminal law, adopted by the EP eighteen months ago, I argue in favour of a cautious approach. Only when there are clearly cross-border offences at issue can there be any reason for European legislation. Abortion is pre-eminently a subject which the member states themselves must regulate and the European Parliament should not be involved.’

SP Member of Parliament Ronald van Raak wants to invite whistle-blowser Edward Snowden to a hearing in the Dutch national parliament in The Hague. He is therefore asking the government to give its assurance that Snowden would not be extradited to the United States. At the same time he is asking the government to do all its power to ensure Snowden’s safety during his visit.