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(2004/C 78 E/0403)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1668/03

by Charles Tannock (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(19 May 2003)

Subject:   Human rights abuses in the Western Sahara

What steps is the Commission taking to implement Article 2 of the Association Agreement between the EC and the Kingdom of Morocco in the light of the alleged human rights violations against the people of the Western Sahara and the disbanding of the Saharawi Human Rights non-governmental organisation Forum for Truth and Justice: Sahara Section?

Will the Commission raise the case of Ali Salem Tamek, an Amnesty International prisoner of conscience, sentenced to two years imprisonment based on confessions which Amnesty International believe were extracted under torture?

Will the European Commission Delegation in Rabat send observers to the trials of human rights activists from the Western Sahara?

Finally, what effect does this unresolved conflict on Morocco's economic and social development, and what efforts have been made by the Commission in assisting the Moroccan government to resolve this longstanding dispute to the benefit of the peoples of Morocco and the Western Sahara?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(16 June 2003)

Respect for human rights is a fundamental concern of the Union in its relations with all third countries. Article 2 of the association agreements provides the Union with the basis for developing productive dialogue and co-operation with the Mediterranean partners in the areas of human rights and fundamental freedoms and the rule of law.

In order to structure this dialogue, on 22 May 2003 the Commission issued a Communication aimed at reinvigorating Union actions on human rights and democratisation with the Mediterranean partners (1), on the basis, among others, of the existing Euro-Med Association Agreements.

This Communication outlines guidelines for the best use of the instruments that are at the disposal of the Union and its Mediterranean partners to effectively implement their common goal of the promotion of democratisation and the promotion and protection of universal human rights and fundamental freedoms. It proposes 10 concrete recommendations to improve the dialogue between the Union and its Mediterranean partners, as well as Community's financial co-operation on human rights issues. Its implementation will be enhanced by three levels of complementarity: between the political dialogue and financial assistance, between the MEDA programme and assistance under the European Initiative for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR), and finally between the national and regional dimensions.

The Communication should provide a concrete platform to engage the Mediterranean partners, such as Morocco, on a continuous and substantial dialogue on all the questions of human rights and democratisation including, if appropriate, those dealing with specific cases.

In this respect the Commission would like to reassure the Honourable Member that it is following the specific cases mentioned in his written question. The humanitarian and human rights aspects of the Western Sahara conflict are a continuous and long-standing concern of the Commission and contacts have been established with all parties in the region on this issue.

Clearly the unresolved conflict of Western Sahara places considerable demands on Morocco's human and financial resources that could otherwise be used for different purposes. In addition, it effects the Moroccan political position (whose main objective is the safeguard of what they claim to be their territorial integrity) as well as on the economic policies (the process of regional integration is the major victim).

Finally, the Commission fully supports the efforts deployed by the Secretary General of the United Nations in order to find a mutually acceptable solution for the parties involved in the conflict of Western Sahara.

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(1)  COM(2003) 294 final.

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