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(2004/C 33 E/053)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0594/03

by Matti Wuori (Verts/ALE), Bart Staes (Verts/ALE) and Elisabeth Schroedter (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(28 February 2003)

Subject:   EU support for the indigenous peoples of the Russian Federation

The indigenous peoples of the Russian Federation are approximately 200 000 in number, distributed among 40 distinct groups with rich cultural heritages. Most of these peoples continue to live in the traditional way. They are spread over huge areas, often without basic transport and communication structures. They are the first to be affected by the serious environmental threats (linked to the presence of gas and oil extraction plants, whose products are exported to the European Union) and the effects of climate change. Their estimated life expectancy is 25 years lower than the average life expectancy of the population of Russia.

Has the Commission supported the indigenous peoples as a target group under TACIS or other Community programmes in the past five years? Could it provide a list of these projects?

How does the Commission monitor application of the principles of prior consultation, equal participation and the right of veto of the indigenous peoples in the context of projects affecting them? (See the Council's conclusions of 30 November 1998 on indigenous peoples in the developing countries.)

How does the Commission keep itself informed of the situation of the indigenous peoples in the Russian Federation, particularly as regards human rights, but also at the socio-economic, environmental and cultural levels?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(2 April 2003)

The Commission is aware of the very particular situation of indigenous peoples living in Russia as well as the difficulties they face.

The EC has funded several technical assistance projects, with the aim of promoting awareness of issues affecting indigenous peoples and improving their access to education.

In addition to a certain number of more general projects which relate to ethnic relations (and which therefore touch on questions relevant to indigenous peoples), two projects funded by the European Initiative for Democracy & Human Rights (EIDHR) specifically target Russian indigenous peoples.

The first project, which runs until April 2003, aims to raise the awareness of the Russian population about the rights and problems of minority indigenous peoples of the North, Siberia and the Far East. This project has, inter alia, created a cycle of 12 weekly educational radio programmes for Radio Russia. The second project, which aims to extend the possibilities of the indigenous peoples of Siberia to obtain high level education, will be launched soon.

The EIDHR is a demand-driven programme. The Delegation of the Commission in Moscow seeks to make sure that all interested non-governmental organisations (NGOs) are aware of Commission EIDHR calls for tender as they are announced, including NGOs of indigenous peoples.

The Commission closely follows the situation with regard to indigenous peoples in Russia by for example maintaining contacts with organisations working to promote the rights of indigenous peoples. One example is the Russian Association of Indigenous Peoples of the North (Raipon), an NGO representing the interests of northern indigenous peoples in Russia. NGOs of this type regularly take part in calls for tender run by the Commission.

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