There can be no keeping back in efforts to eliminate sexual violence in all its forms.

As polities implement the principle that an open and protected space should be maintained where such violence can be safely reported, the margins within which it can be attempted will shrink. It is necessary to continue to widen this protected space. For developments of past years have confirmed how sexual violence goes beyond what the words used for it say – it is also an abusive exercise of personal power, against children and women, against individuals with too much trust in religious leaders or professional people that are supposed to be their protectors...

The incidents that took place recently during the Pope’s visit to Chile show how difficult it can be to sustain an ongoing attack on all forms of sexual violence when at the same time one is committed to defending the integrity of the institution thatone is in charge of.

All things considered, I believe the current Pope is really in good faith when he denounces all forms of opression. But in dealing with the vicious reality consisting of abuses of power lead among others to sex violence, the way forward can deviate from the straight path.

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Freedom of speech

Freedom of speech needs to be safeguarded by all means. About this too any hesitation is not acceptable. Even so, there remain areas which still need clarification about how far this freedom should be taken.

Personally, I have my doubts about whether it should include the “right” to insult the beliefs or way of life of other citizens. But then, what is to be considered as an “insult”?

There would not be a problem if all citizens accept in the same way their responsibilities, rights and obligations that derive from a common belonging to the same civil and democratic society. But there is no such consensus. So we need to devise tranparent rules that while being in full respect of the liberties that a democratic society recognises and is meant to respect,maintain the right blaance between all the factions of a “pluralist” society.

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Legislative proposals

The mandates of the European Parliament and of the European Commission are reaching their final phase. The Commission is tasked mostly with the preparation of “legislative” proposals that become regulations, directives and other legal instruments for implementation across the EU as a whole. The process by which this comes into force is complex, requires long discussions and much time, till all the necessary compromises can be put into a final draft.

In the months that remain before European elections are held, there is little probability that totally new legislative proposals having importance can be launched and brought to fruition. So expect few of them.

Efforts will be concentrated on at least getting conclusions for proposals that have already been put forward. The Commission has already reduced greatly the number of legislative proposals which it advances from the levels reached by its predecessor. Commission President Juncker promised this at the start of its term and he kept his promise.

In coming months, European legislative initiatives will continue to thin out drastically.