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(2004/C 33 E/052)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0575/03

by Nelly Maes (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(28 February 2003)

Subject:   Forced sterilisation of Roma women in Slovakia

As a member of the EU-Slovak Republic JPC, I have visited Slovakia on many occasions and have been frequently in contact with the Roma community. Within the context of accession negotiations, I have continually emphasised the rights of minorities. The recent report by the Centre of Reproductive Rights concerning forced sterilisation of Roma women, the strong warning from the rapporteur for the European Parliament J.M. Wiersma and the testimony here in Belgium of Roma women seeking asylum in our country all point to the same conclusion: practices which we thought belonged to a dark and distant past are still common.

Some women have told me that they were forced to undergo sterilisation, others that they were sterilised whilst under anaesthetic during a Caesarean section. Yet others have spoken of financial assistance being provided for sterilisation under the family planning budget.

The Slovak minister responsible for minorities is setting up an inquiry, but, according to news agency CTK, writing on 30 January 2003, the minister also envisages the institution of proceedings against the authors of the report.

Will the Commission be pressing for a detailed, objective national inquiry and will it be examining critically the results of such an inquiry against the background of Slovakia's accession to the EU? If so, could the Commission forward to me the results and measures to be taken by the Commission in response? If not, does the Commission consider this form of reproductive policy not to contravene human rights?

Answer given by Mr Verheugen on behalf of the Commission

(28 March 2003)

The Commission is aware of the allegations, recently published in a report of the ‘Center for Reproductive Rights’, that Roma women are being sterilised without their consent or with coerced consent by doctors in Eastern Slovakia.

The Member of the Commission responsible for Enlargement has immediately addressed this issue in a letter to Slovak Prime Minister Dzurinda, underlining that these allegations are a matter of serious concern and if proved to be true, would constitute a serious breach of human rights, provided the public authorities have supported, tolerated or not taken proper legal actions in this respect. Moreover, he has asked the Slovak authorities to vigorously carry out the necessary criminal investigations, to remedy possible discriminatory measures and keep the Commission informed about the proceedings.

According to the Commission's information, the competent authorities have launched the criminal investigations, with a special investigation team being set up. The Roma advisor to the Ministry of Interior, a Roma himself, has been assigned to consult this team. The Ministry of Health and the Slovak Gynaecological Society have been closely associated with the investigations. A preliminary inspection of the latter institutions to one of the hospitals, mentioned in the report, has not confirmed the allegations, so far. Finally, the Council of Europe has been invited by Slovakia to conduct a fact-finding mission in Eastern Slovakia.

The Commission will continue to closely monitor the further proceedings and outcome of the investigations. It will consider further measures, if appropriate and necessary and will, of course, keep the Parliament informed.

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