# CE2004084EN.01001701.xml

| 3.4.2004 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | CE 84/17 |
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3.4.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

CE 84/17

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(2004/C 84 E/0020)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2302/03

by Miguel Martínez Martínez (PSE) to the Council

(8 July 2003)

Subject:   Murder of the young Spanish voluntary worker Ana Isabel Sánchez Torralba in Equatorial Guinea

Subject:

Voluntary workers in Equatorial Guinea have now confirmed the sad news of the death of a young Spanish woman in that country, who was killed in dramatic circumstances by Equatorial Guinean soldiers. Ana Isabel Sánchez Torralba was 22 years old, came from Ocaña in Castilla-La Mancha and had been in Africa for only a few days generously contributing to the solidarity-based work of the Escolapian Missionaries. She was travelling towards the town of Aconibe in a civilian bus with other citizens and a couple of fellow missionaries when the vehicle was inexplicably shot at by members of the country's armed forces on passing a checkpoint, with fatal consequences.

This serious incident leads me, as a citizen of the same country as the young murder victim who shares the grief and indignation of her family and friends, to put the following questions to the Council for written answer:

| — | Is the Council aware of the above facts, or will it seek the relevant information? |
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Is the Council aware of the above facts, or will it seek the relevant information?

| — | Now that the murder of this exemplary young European has been confirmed, will the Council respond by demanding that the Equatorial Guinean authorities take appropriate action against those responsible? |
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Now that the murder of this exemplary young European has been confirmed, will the Council respond by demanding that the Equatorial Guinean authorities take appropriate action against those responsible?

| — | Does the Council consider it appropriate to take steps within the framework of the Partnership Agreement with the countries of Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific, to which Equatorial Guinea is a signatory alongside the European Union, so that those governing that country with such complete disregard for human rights and the rule of law finally receive the sanctions laid down in the above Treaty? |
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Does the Council consider it appropriate to take steps within the framework of the Partnership Agreement with the countries of Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific, to which Equatorial Guinea is a signatory alongside the European Union, so that those governing that country with such complete disregard for human rights and the rule of law finally receive the sanctions laid down in the above Treaty?

Reply

(8 March 2004)

(8 March 2004)

The Council takes note of the information concerning the murder of the Spanish citizen Ana Isabel Sánchez Torralba in Equatorial Guinea. The Council regrets all acts of violence and crimes; these should be addressed not only in relation to events affecting EU citizens, but also in general terms.

The EU is deeply concerned at the deterioration in the internal political situation in Equatorial Guinea as regards human rights and the democratisation process. Following last year's elections (December 2002) the EU expressed its concern at the political development of the country and in particular at the increase in violations of human rights. The EU urged the government and the political opposition to hold an all-inclusive political dialogue on the process of democratisation and on the establishment of guarantees for respect of human rights. It will continue to do so and will pursue any relevant action within the framework of its contacts with the competent authorities to prevent and clear up situations such as the one described by the Honourable Member in his question.

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