The agreement has arrived between European negotiators on the directive against violence against women.
But rape does not become a European crime.
The text speaks of 'lack of consensus' but does not go further, triggering disappointment and controversy.
With one of the speakers talking about "states that are on the wrong side of history".
The step forward, requested by many parties, was blocked by a transversal barrage, led by France, Germany, Austria and the Netherlands who entrenched themselves behind technical legal reasons on the methods of adoption of the proposal, since it was not a 'Eurocrime'.
And other traditionally conservative countries such as Poland, Hungary, Malta, Czechia, Estonia, Bulgaria and Slovakia have taken the same line.
Italy, however, was in favour.
As Justice Minister Carlo Nordio had asked at the EU Council in June 2023 which gave the green light to the 27-party negotiations on the directive.
"It's a sad day for gender policies and rights," said EP vice-president Pina Picierno, after having done everything she could in recent days for a change of direction.
The directive has been "downsized and weakened compared to the text launched in 2022 by the Commission and then strengthened by the European Parliament. The overall structure - you commented - is disappointing. We are faced with a lost opportunity of historic importance".
"It is unfortunate - he added - that the Italian government, led by female prime minister Giorgia Meloni, has not managed to effectively exercise its negotiating weight, as it has often boasted of doing on other dossiers".
“It is not the end,” said EPP rapporteur Frances Fitzgerald: “The fight continues.”
“I am very disappointed that some states have chosen to be on the wrong side of history,” said the other EP rapporteur, Evin Incir (S&D).
At the end of the negotiations, the MEPs also expressed their frustration but nevertheless obtained the provision that every five years the Commission will report on the opportunity to review the rules.
And the European Chamber has already declared that they are focusing on revising the text.
For the first time, however, there will be rules at European level on the criminalization of some forms of gender violence and measures for better access to justice, protection and prevention.
We take action against female genital mutilation, including a whole series of cyber violence, such as the non-consensual sharing of intimate material, stalking, harassment, incitement to violence or hatred based on the sex or gender of the victim.
For further information ANSA Agency Why the EU directive on the crime of rape divides the 27 countries - Violence against women - Ansa.it The main obstacle is linked to article 5 and the concept of consent.
The unions are also protesting against the elimination of the definition of "sexual harassment in the world of work" from article 4 (ANSA)
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