....please read this and then make up your minds if you think it is a good thing. If you do the links are here to petition your MEP to sign it.
WRITTEN DECLARATION
pursuant to Rule 116 of the Rules of Procedure
by Roberta Angelilli, Glenys Kinnock, Edward McMillan-Scott, Evelyne Gebhardt, Diana Wallis
on emergency co-operation in recovering missing children
Lapse date: [17.7.2008]
[34/2008]
Written declaration on emergency co-operation in recovering missing children
The European Parliament,
?having regard to Rule 116 of its Rules of Procedure,
A. whereas the abduction of a child is amongst the most inhumane of crimes,
B. whereas the commission of such crimes is increasing in Europe and may involve transporting victims across state borders,
C. whereas the prospects of saving the life of an abducted child decreases as time passes,
D. whereas there is no Europe-wide alert system for child disappearances nor any local or national systems throughout much of the European Union,
- Calls on Member States to introduce a missing child alert system, the activation of which shall require the immediate supply to relevant news media, border authorities, customs and law enforcement agencies, details of:
- The missing child, with a photograph if available
- Information relevant to the disappearance and/or the suspected abductor(s)
- A telephone number to call with information (116 000 where operational)
- Calls on Member States to reach cooperation agreements with all bordering states to ensure the capacity to raise an alert rapidly across any relevant territories;
- Calls for the development of a common organisation to provide assistance and training to national bodies;
- Instructs its President to forward this declaration, together with the names of the signatories, to the Commission and Council.