Doc. 8267
25 November 1998

Fundamentalist regimes’ treatment of women

Motion for a resolution

presented by Mrs Bušić and others

This motion has not been discussed in the Assembly and commits only the members who have signed it

1.       In certain societies organised along fundamentalist religious lines, women are deprived of their most basic rights and are increasingly being subjected to a form of segregation that confines them to solely domestic tasks, thus infringing their freedom of expression, their freedom of movement and even, in some cases, their right to education and health.

2.       Although the main monotheistic religions do recognise the principle of equality between men and women, fundamentalist groups have changed the situation in such a way in practice that women have gradually been deprived of all social, economic and political rights.

3.       At the same time, women are being denied access to justice, and continue in most cases to be treated as minors in legal matters.

4.       In the face of this unacceptable situation, measures must be taken to protect women against this inhuman and degrading treatment that is contrary to the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

5.       The Assembly therefore calls on member states:

i.       to take action in all international bodies, including the United Nations, to put an end to the violation of women’s fundamental rights;

ii.       to demand, in their dealings with such regimes:

— respect for women’s fundamental rights,

— the elimination of violence and inequalities based on traditional customs or practices, cultural prejudices and extremism.

Signed : ¹

Busic, Croatia, EPP/CD

Connor, Ireland, EPP/CD

Etherington, United Kingdom, SOC

Gatterer, Austria, EPP/CD

Jones, United Kingdom, SOC

Poptodorova, Bulgaria, SOC

Pozza Tasca, Italy, LDR

Probst, Germany, EPP/CD

Roudy, France, SOC

Staes, Belgium, EPP/CD

Vermot-Mangold, Switzerland, SOC

Vitrenko, Ukraine, UEL

¹        SOC: Socialist Group

      EPP/CD: Group of the European People’s Party

      EDG: European Democratic Group

      LDR : Liberal, Democratic and Reformers’ Group

      UEL: Group of the Unified European Left

      NR: not registered in a group