WRITTEN QUESTION E-0964/02

Submission: To the Council

26 March 2002

Subject: Framework Decision on Sexual Exploitation of Children and Child Pornography

The European Parliament, respecting the timeline set by the Presidency of the Council, approved on June 12, 2001, the report (A5-0206/2001) on combating the sexual exploitation of children and child pornography, of which I was the rapporteur on behalf of the Committee on Civil Liberties and Justice. The report, taking into account new developments in technology, provides a full definition and description of the criminal act, as well as a minimum penalty threshold, to ensure uniform criminal treatment by the member states. Since then, despite assurances and announcements, the final adoption of the proposal is still pending in the Council.

It is asked of the Council why the adoption of this specific framework decision is being delayed, given the upsurge of the phenomenon in the EU and the inability to effectively address such a serious issue at the national level, which constitutes an unacceptable violation of human rights and human dignity?