Ria Oomen-Ruijten

[[File:Ria-oomen-1360528441.jpg|thumb|Ria Oomen-Ruijten]] '''Ria Oomen-Ruijten''' (born 6 September 1950 in [[Echt, Netherlands|Echt]], [[Limburg (Netherlands)|Limburg]]) is a [[Politics of the Netherlands|Dutch politician]] of the [[Christian Democratic Appeal]] (CDA) who has been serving as a member of the [[Senate (Netherlands)|Senate]] since 9 June 2015.

Oomen is a former [[Member of the European Parliament]]. As an MEP, she was a member of the bureau of the [[European People's Party]] (Christian Democrats) group, she was a member of the [[European Parliament]]'s [[European Parliament Committee on Foreign Affairs|Committee on Foreign Affairs]], and a substitute member of the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs.

Previously, she was a member of the [[House of Representatives (Netherlands)|House of Representatives]] (June 1981 – September 1989). She dealt mainly with social affairs.

From May 1985, she was chair of The Dutch Foundation for Consumer Complaints Boards (De [[Geschillencommissie]]). The Foundation deals with consumer complaints and complaints between enterprises. From January 2013 Hein Blocks succeeded her as chair.

== Early life and education == Oomen-Ruijten was born in [[St. Joost]] ([[Echt, Netherlands|Echt]], province of Limburg in the Netherlands) on 6 September 1950. She obtained a higher vocational diploma in Communication and Public Relations. She studied in [[Eindhoven]], The Netherlands.

== Political career == === Early beginnings === From 1974 to 1981, Oomen-Ruijten worked for Provincial Electricity Company ([[PLEM]]) as Public Relations Assistant. She became a member of the Politician Youth Organization of the Catholic People's Party, one of the predecessors of the [[Christian Democratic Appeal]], and was elected chairman of the newly founded youth organization of the Christian Democrats before becoming a member of the Dutch House of Representatives in 1981. She was the youngest member at the time and particularly active in the field of social affairs.[2]

=== Member of the European Parliament, 1989–2014 === In 1989, Oomen-Ruijten moved to the [[European Parliament]], where she was elected on behalf of the [[Christian Democratic Appeal|CDA]] within the Group of the [[European People's Party]] (EPP). Between 1989 and 1999, she was a vice president of the EPP.

In parliament, Oomen-Ruijten first served on the [[European Parliament Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety|Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Consumer Protection]] (1989–2004) and the temporary Committee on Genetics (2001). Furthermore, she was also a member of the [[Committee on Employment and Social Affairs]] (1994–1999, 2004–2007) and the [[Committee on Equal Rights of Women]]. Later, she was a member of the [[European Parliament Committee on Foreign Affairs|Committee on Foreign Affairs]] (from 2007) and its [[Subcommittee on Human Rights]] (from 2009) Among other assignments, she was the European Parliament's [[rapporteur]] on the possible [[accession of Turkey to the European Union]],<ref>Ayla Jean Yackley (May 31, 2013), [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-turkey-protests/turkish-police-fire-tear-gas-in-worst-protests-in-years-idUSBRE94U0J920130531 Turkish police fire tear gas in worst protests in years] ''[[Reuters]]''.</ref> on pension rights of EU citizens<ref>Huw Jones (June 21, 2007), [https://www.reuters.com/article/pensions-eu-idUKNOA12590120070621 EU assembly scraps portability in pension reform] ''[[Reuters]]''.</ref> on measures against [[cervical cancer]],<ref>Laurence Frost (May 16, 2001,), [https://www.politico.eu/article/meps-back-virus-test-to-combat-cervical-cancer/ MEPs back virus test to combat cervical cancer] ''[[European Voice]]''.</ref> and on cutting emissions from plants powered by coal and oil.<ref>Renée Cordes (February 3, 1999), [https://www.politico.eu/article/meps-call-for-tough-restrictions-on-emissions-from-older-power-plants/ MEPs call for tough restrictions on emissions from older power plants] ''[[European Voice]]''.</ref>

In addition to her committee assignments, Oomen-Ruijten was part of the parliament's delegations for the EU-Russia Parliamentary Cooperation Committee (2007–2014) as well as for relations with [[China]] (2004–2009), [[South Africa]] (1994–2004), and the countries of Central America and Mexico (1989–1994).

In 2013, Oomen-Ruijten was one of the candidates to become [[European Ombudsman]]. She eventually lost the election in the final round to [[Emily O'Reilly]].<ref>Toby Vogel (July 2, 2013), [https://www.politico.eu/article/no-clear-winner-in-european-ombudsman-election/ No clear winner in European Ombudsman election] ''[[European Voice]]''.</ref> On 1 July 2014, she left the European Parliament after 25 years.

=== Member of the Dutch Senate, 2015–present === In the Senate, Oomen-Ruijten has been chairing the Committee on European Affairs.

In addition to her role in the Senate, Oomen-Ruijten has been serving as member of the Dutch delegation to the [[Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe]] since 2015. In the Assembly, she serves on the Committee on Political Affairs and Democracy (since 2015); the Sub-Committee on Conflicts between Council of Europe Member States (since 2018); the Committee on the Honouring of Obligations and Commitments by [[Member states of the Council of Europe|Member States of the Council of Europe]] (since 2020); and the Sub-Committee on External Relations (since 2020). Alongside [[Axel Schäfer]], she was the Assembly's [[rapporteur|co-rapporteur]] on [[Russia]] from 2020 to 2022.<ref>[https://pace.coe.int/en/news/7981/pace-co-rapporteurs-urge-the-russian-authorities-for-immediate-explanation-on-alexey-navalny-poisoning- PACE co-rapporteurs urge the Russian authorities for immediate explanation on Alexey Navalny poisoning] [[Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe]] (PACE), press release of September 2, 2020.</ref> Since 2021, she has been one of the Assembly's vice-presidents, under the leadership of presidents [[Rik Daems]] (2021–2022) and [[Tiny Kox]] (since 2022).<ref>[https://pace.coe.int/en/news/8357/pace-elects-two-new-vice-presidents PACE elects two new Vice-Presidents] [[Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe]] (PACE), press release of 21 June 2021.</ref>

== Other activities == Besides her function as MEP, Oomen-Ruijten remains active in several other fields. She is chairwoman of various social welfare and non-governmental organizations such as the Foundation for the Support and Archers Guild Commission (SAS). She is also committed her to numerous administrative activities in social and cultural institutions.

From May 1985, Oomen was chair of The Dutch Foundation for Consumer Complaints Boards (De [[Geschillencommissie]]). The Foundation deals with consumer complaints and complaints between enterprises. From January 2013 Mr Hein Blocks succeeded Ria Oomen-Ruijten as chair.

== Personal life == Oomen-Ruijten keeps her voters frequently up to date with her activities within for the Parliament in Brussels and Strasbourg by issuing a monthly newsletter www.riaoomen.nl.[5] On 29 April 1994, Ria Oomen-Ruijten was appointed [[Knight of the Order of the Dutch Lion]]. Since April 2004, she is also [[Grand Officer of the Order of Merit]] (blue-white cross) from Luxembourg, an award from the European Union. Ria Oomen-Ruijten is a widow of Steph Oomen.

==Curriculum vitae== * Higher vocational diploma as PR information/communications assistant * National Chairwoman, [[Christian Democratic Appeal|CDA]] Youth Federation and member of CDA federation administrative committee (1976) * Member of the Second Chamber and member of CDA parliamentary party executive (1981–1989) * Chairwoman of The Dutch Foundation for Consumer Complaints Boards (1985–2013) * Member of EPP Council and Member of EPP Bureau (1989–1999) * Member of the [[European Parliament]] (1989–2014) * Member of the Bureau of the [[EPP Group]] (1989–1999) * Chairwoman of various social welfare and non-governmental organisations * [[Knight of the Order of the Netherlands Lion]] (1994) * Member of the [[Senate (Netherlands)|Senate]] (2015–present)

==References== * {{in lang|nl}} [http://www.parlement.com/9291000/bio/02675 Parlement.com biography] {{Reflist}}

==External links== * [http://wwwdb.europarl.eu.int/ep6/owa/whos_mep.data?ilg=EN&iucd=1122 European Parliament biography]{{dead link|date=December 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} * {{Declaration of financial interests of the 6th term|1122_15-07-2004.PDF|nl}} * [http://www.riaoomen.nl riaoomen.nl] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060831222558/http://www.riaoomen.nl/ |date=2006-08-31 }} * [http://www.europarl.europa.eu/meps/en/1122/RIA_OOMEN-RUIJTEN.html;jsessionid=C8326F75EFC85E7674D07EABCCC221D6.node2 Website Europees Parlement] * [http://www.degeschillencommissie.nl/home De Geschillencommissie]

{{European Parliament MEPs, 1989-1994 (Netherlands) by party}} {{European Parliament MEPs, 1994-1999 (Netherlands) by party}} {{European Parliament MEPs, 1999-2004 (Netherlands) by party}} {{European Parliament MEPs, 2004-2009 (Netherlands) by party}} {{European Parliament MEPs, 2009-2014 (Netherlands) by party}} {{Current MPs of the Senate of the Netherlands}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Oomen-Ruijten, Ria}} [[Category:1950 births]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:Christian Democratic Appeal MEPs]] [[Category:Christian Democratic Appeal politicians]] [[Category:Dutch Roman Catholics]] [[Category:Dutch women in politics]] [[Category:Knights of the Order of the Netherlands Lion]] [[Category:Members of the House of Representatives (Netherlands)]] [[Category:Members of the Senate (Netherlands)]] [[Category:MEPs for the Netherlands 1989–1994]] [[Category:MEPs for the Netherlands 1994–1999]] [[Category:MEPs for the Netherlands 1999–2004]] [[Category:MEPs for the Netherlands 2004–2009]] [[Category:MEPs for the Netherlands 2009–2014]] [[Category:20th-century women MEPs for the Netherlands]] [[Category:21st-century women MEPs for the Netherlands]] [[Category:People from Echt-Susteren]] [[Category:Christian Democratic Appeal MPs]]