European Parliament
Louis Michel  (ALDE ),
in writing.
(FR)
Violence against women in war is abominable. I am particularly committed to combating these deadly practices. As Co-President of the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly, I have already raised this issue twice with the Joint Parliamentary Assembly (JPA); once during the plenary session held in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in November 2010, and a second time during the regional session held in Cameroon in April 2011. As President of the Jean Rey Circle, I also presented the international Jean Rey Prize to Doctor Denis Mukwege for his action to support these women in the DRC. These women are not only victims; they want to be the authors of change and the authors of a better destiny for their children, especially for their daughters. We must also pay tribute to their commitment to a fairer society that is more respectful of human rights. The European Union is by their side, regularly taking measures to combat any form of discrimination against them. The creation of a post of Special EU Representative on Women, especially the appointment of such a representative, will provide greater coherence and efficiency to its policies.

