# CE2004088EN.01005301.xml

| 8.4.2004 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | CE 88/53 |
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8.4.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

CE 88/53

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(2004/C 88 E/0056)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1954/03

by Jannis Sakellariou (PSE) to the Commission

(13 June 2003)

Subject:   Human rights situation facing Yezidi in Georgia

Subject:

Is the Commission aware of the difficult situation faced by the Yezidi in Georgia? What is the Commission's evaluation of this?

What political efforts are being undertaken to make a lasting improvement to their situation?

What technical and financial possibilities are available to the Commission to support this minority in Georgia?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(18 July 2003)

(18 July 2003)

The Commission understands that the Yezidi, an ethnic minority of non-Muslim Kurds in Georgia, face difficulties that are common to many ethnic minorities in Georgia. The Yezidi constitute a small minority in Georgia and lack the strong political organisation that could supply them with a voice in Georgian decision making. While the Yezidi may not be specifically targeted for discrimination like other ethnic minorities in Georgia, they sometimes suffer from shortcomings in the fields of law enforcement and the rule of law.

The Commission is currently directing its political and technical assistance to Georgia towards the strengthening of governance and the promotion of human rights and civil society. The new Indicative Programme for Georgia proposes cooperation to support institutional, legal and administrative reform and in addressing the social consequences of transition and assistance to social reconstruction. In addition, the Commission continues to put pressure on the Georgian Government to implement its obligations under the European Convention on Human Rights to respect minority rights, and to ratify the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities (FCPNM). The Commission is currently co-funding a project along with the Council of Europe to promote the ratification and effective implementation of the FCPNM, involving governmental as well as non-governmental actors.

The European Initiative for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR) is a financing mechanism to support projects by non-governmental organisations worldwide. Georgia is one of 31 EIDHR ‘focus countries’ under this programme. One of the four thematic areas of the EIDHR is support to combat racism and xenophobia and discrimination against minorities and indigenous peoples. Ongoing activities in Georgia under the EIDHR include a recent project — implemented by World Vision Deutschland e. V. — to combat the ethnicisation of conflicts among Georgian citizens in the Georgian regions of Samskhe-Javakheti and Kvemo Kartli, where many Yezidi live. In addition, the Commission's Delegation in Georgia is about to launch a new Call for Proposals for microprojects, under the EIDHR for projects implemented by Georgian non-governmental organisations. One of the priority themes foreseen to be included in this is ‘Support for measures to combat racism and xenophobia and to protect religious and ethnic minorities’. The Call will most likely be published in early July 2003 and the deadline for applications will be September 2003.

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