Pursuant to Rule 116 of the Rules of Procedure
by Filiz Hakaeva Hyusmenova, Metin Kazak, Vladko Todorov Panayotov, Bilyana Ilieva Raeva, Iliana Malinova Iotova
on a common European policy on the care and bringing up of disadvantaged children
Lapse date: 30.1.2008




000Х/ 2008 Written declaration on a common European policy on the care and bringing up of disadvantaged children

The European Parliament,

–    having regard to Rule 116 of its Rules of Procedure,

А. whereas responsibility for bringing up children and adolescents is, first and foremost, the duty of the family, but also of society and the State,

B. whereas it shares the concerns with regard to the numerous alerts originating from homes for children who have been deprived of parental care across the EU,

C. whereas it notes the common roots of such problems in EU Member States,

D. whereas it upholds the right of all European citizens to equal access to education and healthcare,


1. Calls on the Commission to support and encourage efforts at all levels by the national authorities in EU countries towards improving care conditions for children;

2. Requests that the care of both disadvantaged adolescents and those in care outside the family become a priority European policy until such time as the degrading inequality of children who are not wanted by their families is eradicated and they are integrated into society;

3. Calls for constant monitoring until such time as the disparities in care standards are eliminated;

4. Opposes attempts to politicise such a complex social issue and to use it as cheap populist propaganda and encourages EU Member States to share good practices and sound legislative solutions regarding care for disadvantaged children;

5. Instructs its President to forward this declaration, together with the names of the signatories, to the Parliaments of the Member States, the Council and the European Commission.