9.2.2000 Official Journal of the European Communities L 34/1 (Acts whose publication is obligatory) DECISION No 293/2000/EC OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 24 January 2000 adopting a programme of Community action (the Daphne programme) (2000 to 2003) on preven- tive measures to fight violence against children, young persons and women THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 152 thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission ('), Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee (%), Having regard to the opinion of the Committee of the Regions (3), Acting in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 251 of the Treaty (%), Whereas: (1)  Physical, sexual and psychological violence against chil- dren, young persons and women constitutes a breach of their right to life, safety, freedom, dignity and physical and emotional integrity and a serious threat to the phys- ical and mental health of the victims of such violence; the effects of such violence are so widespread throughout the Community as to constitute a major health scourge. (2) It is important to recognise the serious immediate and long-term implications for health, psychological and social development, and for the equal opportunities of those concerned, that violence has for individuals, families and communities and the high social and economic costs to society as a whole. (3)  According to the World Health Organisation's definition, health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity; in accordance with Article 3(p) of the Treaty, () O] C 259, 18.8.1998, p. 2, 0] C 89, 30.3.1999, p. 42 and O] C 162, 9.6.1999, p. 11. () O] C 169, 16.6.1999, p. 35. () O] C 89, 30.3.1999, p. 42. (*) Opinion of the European Parliament of 16 April 1999 (O] C 219, 30.7.1999, p. 497); Council common position of 13 September 1999 (O C 317, 4.11.1999, p. 1); Decision of the European Parlia- ment of 17 November 1999 (not yet published in the Official Journal) and Council Decision of 13 December 1999. Community action is to include a contribution to the attainment of a high level of health protection. These principles are recognised in the United Nations Convention of 1979 on the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women, the United Nations Convention of 1989 on the rights of the child, the Vienna Declaration of 1993 on the elimination of violence against women, the Declaration and Platform of Action adopted at the IVth Conference on women held in Beijing in 1995, the Declaration and the Plan of Action against the sex trade and the exploitation of minors adopted at the Stockholm Conference in 1996, and the Lisbon Declaration of 1998 on youth policies and programmes of the world conference of ministers of youth. The European Union has taken action in the field of justice and home affairs in particular by the Joint Action of 24 February 1997 concerning action to combat traf- ficking in human beings and sexual exploitation of chil- dren (°); the criminal law aspects of violence are a matter for the Member States. The European Parliament, in its Resolutions of 18 January 1996 on trafficking in human beings (%), of 19 September 1996 on minors who are victims of violence (7), of 12 December 1996 on measures to protect minors in the European Union (%) and of 16 September 1997 on the need to establish a European Union-wide campaign for zero tolerance of violence against women (°) and of 16 December 1997 on traf- ficking in women for the purpose of sexual exploita- tion (1% has called upon the Commission to draw up and implement action programmes to combat such violence. 63, 43.1997, p. 2. 32, 5.2.1996, p. 88. 320, 28.10.1996, p. 190. 20, 20.1.1997, p. 170. 304, 6.10.1997, p. 55. 14, 19.1.1998, p. 39. ANONONOE