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"Why I would demonstrate in the streets of Thessaloniki" "I would demand that the ban preventing women from visiting Mt. Athos be raised" |
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By Anna KARAMANOU |
18.6.2003 |
"If I was not able to fight through democratic institutions, in my case through the European Parliament, then I would demonstrate peacefully in Thesaloniki, as in my earlier, union days, for the same fundamental issues for which I am fighting today: human rights, democratic values, equality of the sexes, peaceful resolution of disputes, minority rights. In this context, I would demand from the European leaders:
1) Respect for fundamental human rights and immediate restoration of dignified living conditions for the 700 Gypsy refugees at Mentitliya, near the border between Greece and FYROM; they have been expelled by our neighbours, their settlement has been destroyed, they are without tents, water or basic hygiene facilities.
2) The abolition of the criminal law (article 43b, legislative decree 2623/1953/A-268) providing for a 2- to 12-month term of imprisonment for women violating the ban on visiting Mt. Athos. How backward can one be in this day and age?!
3) Set a high policy priority on the issue of the systematic violation of women's and children's human rights. Immediate action against the criminal activities of international prostitution gangs. Recognise equality of the sexes in practice, and advance a balanced participation of women and men in democratic institutions and in all decision-making processes, as a fundamental condition for planning a better future – a future of peace, dialogue, respect for diversity, and fair allocation of the planet's resources and of the benefits of science and technology among all races and people ".