B3-1427/93

Resolution on the violation of human rights by the segregation of women travelling on some British Airways flights

The European Parliament,

A.recognizing that respect for human rights, namely the principle of equality between men and women, is a fundamental value, protected in law, of the Community and its Member States, and recalling the Vienna Declaration and action programme adopted by the UN World Conference on Human Rights on 25 June 1993, namely on the equal conditions for and the fundamental rights of women,

B.recognizing that, in Saudi Arabia and in some other Islamic countries, as part of the deplorable treatment to which they are subjected, women are obliged, when travelling, to be accompanied by a male relative or to receive his permission to travel,

C.aware that human rights violations caused by discrimination against women in Saudi Arabia have been held to be sufficient reason for granting asylum in Canada,

D.astounded by the announcement by British Airways that it is establishing a segregated cabin which will be confined to 'women travelling alone, together or with their children, with only their male relatives permitted to travel with them',

1.Denounces the fact that the principal airline of a Member State lets itself be used as an instrument to reinforce the discriminatory practices of a third country;

2.Calls on British Airways to abandon this practice forthwith;

3.Believes that this practice is contrary to EC law and hopes that the Commission will bring action against British Airways if this practice continues;

4.Calls on all Community citizens not to use British Airways for as long as this practice continues;

5.Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Commission, the Council and the Chairman of British Airways.