ASSEMBLY OF THE REPUBLIC

DRAFT RESOLUTION NO. 18 /XI/1.

About the 10º anniversary of the Day for the Elimination

of Violence Against Women

Taking into consideration the fundamental values of the constitutional order

of the Portuguese Republic, in respect of the principle of equality of the

citizens and citizenships in the face of their rights freedoms and guarantees,

specifically, the right to life and the physical and moral integrity of beings

humans;

Recalling previous takes of position of the Assembly of the Republic,

notably Resolution No. 17/2007, adopted unanimously and

acclamation on April 12, 2007;

Reaffirming the commitment contained in the United Nations Convention

on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against the

Women, and other relevant documents of international law on

this matter, to which the Portuguese State is bound;

Aware that gender violence knows no borders

geographical, ethnic, social or economic, and deeply affects life

private and the social relations of a significant part of the population;

The Members and the Members of the Assembly of the Republic on the occasion of the

passage of the 10º anniversary of the institution of the International Day by the

Elimination of Violence Against Women, declares to identify with

the principles and objectives underlying this epheméride, and they condemn without

reservations the serious violation of Human Rights that stems from the relationship

unequal between women and men, and that violence tends to perpetuate.

They are equally aware that violence against women

represents a personal cost translated into inquantifiable suffering, and

an economic cost to the society, which bears the burden on the

health services, police, judicial and social support that derive from the practice

reiterated and expanded from this type of crime.

In its capacity as the legitimate representatives of the Portuguese people, the

deputies and the deputies to the Assembly of the Republic reaffirm that the

violence against women, including domestic violence, must

remain a priority of the national political agenda, and declare their

ASSEMBLY OF THE REPUBLIC

willingness of everything to do, within the framework of their competences, and in collaboration

with the other organs of sovereignty, the institutions of regional power and

site, as well as civil society organizations as well

committed to this cause, to:

1. That the phenomenon of gender violence is better analyzed, understood and fought, by participating in actions of

raising public awareness, and encouraging a permanent

improvement of all the professionals dealing with the diverse

strands of this phenomenon;

2. Monitoring and assessing compliance with existing legislation, and taking the legislative initiatives that are deemed necessary to the

improvement of the appropriate normative system to a greater

prevention, better protection of victims and a sanctioning and

treatment of the most effective attackers;

3. Promoting greater involvement of men, in this effort to raise awareness of society for the unacceptable character of violence

that slaughter above all about women, and in the concrete actions

for the eradication of it;

4. Supporting the signature, approval and ratification of a Convention for the Prevention and Combat to Violence Against Women and Violence

Domestic, within the framework of the Council of Europe.

Assembly of the Republic, November 25, 2009

The deputies and deputies