The votes of the Slovenian MEPs on equality of genders, and women rights were positive – as expected - when general principles and rights were the issue, and their implementation. Yet the situation was different when the actual rights of women were addressed.
By accepting the amendment the voting on the report became pointless. In this way these MEPs, votes, although formally impecable, were in contradiction with the constitutional right written in the Slovenian constitution on freedom of choice on bearing children (Article 55). Romana Jordan was the only right-wing MEP who voted against it, and thus in favour of the report,« emphasized Metka Roksandić.
The claim that dr. Milan Zver voted against the directive on equality of women and men is false. Dr. Zver and his political group ELS voted for the substitute resolution of ELS, which, just as the resolution by MEP Zuber, stands up for better equality of genders.
Most of the MEPs decided for the model which is criminalizing the parties, and reducing the demand for sexual favours. ALDE was quite divided regarding this question, but in the end we agreed with the reporter in shadow Sophie in’t Veld, which did not accept criminalisation of the parties.
All the Slovenian female MEPs, with the exception of Mazej Kukovič, have explicitly supported the women's right to freedom to make decisions about their body, including the right to bear children or have an abortion, sexual education of adolescents for safe sex, defining prostitution as violence against women, and rights of same-sex partners, established Metka Roksandić in her interview for MMC.
The EP resolution on equality between women and men included two disputable issues, concerning women's rights to sexual and reproductive health including the right to safe abortion, and the need for sexual education in schools. Lojze Peterle, Zofija Mazej Kukovič and Milan Zver voted against it.
Metka Roksandić said that the document (Estrella) exposed the need for prevention of undesired pregnancies, the necessity of access to contraception, and safe and legal abortion for all. »The crisis should not be an excuse for regression in the reproductive health care and sexual education,« she cautioned.
MEPs voted against the Slovenian Constitution
Sexual and reproductive health is an extremely controversial topic, which activated all the European conservative forces. Peterle, Mazej and Zver voted against the report, or in a formal manner for the amendment which transfered the regulation of these matters to separate countries, and not EU.
"By accepting the amendment the voting on the report became pointless. In this way these MEPs, votes, although formally impeccable, were in contradiction with the constitutional right written in the Slovenian constitution on freedom of choice on bearing children (Article 55). Romana Jordan was the only right-wing MEP who voted against it, and thus in favour of the report," emphasized Metka Roksandić.
Peterle was the only one opposed to fight against homophobia
Peterle is the only Slovenian MEP to vote against the resolution on fight against homophobia and discrimination (Lunaček), as in his opinion that would be paradoxical - these basic rights belong to all the people, and should not be reserved only for certain society groups.
"The report appeals to all the EU members to grant all homosexuals privileged protection of freedom of speech, and to indirectly limit the public advocating motherhood and fatherhood. In the report the requests are made for special above standard rights for "homosexual families", including the right to adopt children, and substitute motherhood. Not even educational and schooling contents are omitted. Thus the states should indoctrinate children on sex theory, and encourage them to start early experimenting with sexuality and sex identity," MMC was given an explanation by the NSi-SLS electoral headquarters.
Resolution on homophobia supported by SDS MEPs
Metka Roksandić explains that the resolution was in fact the EU timetable for fight against homophobia, and discrimination based on sexual orientation, and sexual identity. Peterle was the only one against it, Ivo Vajgl was absent because of illness, Zver absent. The only two right-wing MEPs to support the resolution were Mazej Kukovič and Romana Cizelj.
Punishment for liberal votes?
According to Metka Roksandić that was one of the reasons none of the two MEPs made the list of their party (SDS) for the EP elections. "Jordan even dared to vote in favour of the report on sexual and reproductive rights, in compliance with the Slovenian constitution," Metka Roksandić approved of Jordan's action.
Only Kacin opposed the report on prostitution
The report on recognition of prostitution as an obstacle for the equality of women and man is promoting the Swedish, Nordic model - purchase of sexual favours is a criminal act, and the victims have their rights. The only Slovenian MEP to oppose was Jelko Kacin (LDS). Ivo Vajgl (at the time of votin Zares, presently DeSUS) voted in favour of the report, just as all the MEP from SDS and SD, while Peterle didn't vote.
Where were the Slovenian MEPs unified?
All of the Slovenian MEPs voted in the same manner for resolution on violence against women, including suggestion for eliminating all forms of violence against women, as more than 70 % of all women are experiencing physical or sexual violence. They all raised their hands also for the directive on balanced participation of women in company bodies, which is increasing the balance of genders at the non-executive positions in bodies of the companies listed on the stock-market. In case less than 40 % of such positions are taken by women, the company needs to adopt the procedure which, providing equal qualifications, favours women.
All were in favour of maternity directive, and the principle "equal pay for equal work".
They agreed on maternity directive, which is actually a supplement to the existing directive on safety and health of pregnant workers, and for those who recently gave birth, or are breastfeeding. Maternity leave would be extended from minimal 14 weeks to 20 weeks, with some additional rights (as e.g. father's leave).
All the MEPs supported also the resolution "Equal pay for equal work", which is giving to the European commission recommendations on implementing the principle in practice, with the intention of accelerating the very slow pace of reducing of differences, or the increase thereof, by taking into consideration the detailed recommendations given by the European Parliament.
The votes of the Slovenian MEPs on equality of genders, and women rights were positive – as expected - when general principles and rights were the issue, and their implementation. Yet the situation was different when the actual rights of women were addressed.
By accepting the amendment the voting on the report became pointless. In this way these MEPs, votes, although formally impecable, were in contradiction with the constitutional right written in the Slovenian constitution on freedom of choice on bearing children (Article 55). Romana Jordan was the only right-wing MEP who voted against it, and thus in favour of the report,« emphasized Metka Roksandić.
The claim that dr. Milan Zver voted against the directive on equality of women and men is false. Dr. Zver and his political group ELS voted for the substitute resolution of ELS, which, just as the resolution by MEP Zuber, stands up for better equality of genders.
Most of the MEPs decided for the model which is criminalizing the parties, and reducing the demand for sexual favours. ALDE was quite divided regarding this question, but in the end we agreed with the reporter in shadow Sophie in’t Veld, which did not accept criminalisation of the parties.
