# CE2004088EN.01003101.xml

| 8.4.2004 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | CE 88/31 |
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8.4.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

CE 88/31

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(2004/C 88 E/0033)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1467/03

by Charles Tannock (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(29 April 2003)

Subject:   Killing of Street Children in Guatemala and Honduras

Subject:

There are allegations that ‘street-children’ in Guatemala and Honduras have been killed. These allegations are vigorously denied by the governments concerned. Does the Commission itself have any independent confirmation of the truth of these allegations and has it raised this matter with the governments concerned? Does the Commission know if homes and shelter are offered to all homeless children under the age of 16 and what alternatives are available to the children who roam the streets in these countries? Finally, has the Commission urged governments in the region to ensure that children who break the law are in all cases punished in accordance with the rule of law and that, where appropriate, support is given to reduce their chances of leading lives of crime?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(22 May 2003)

(22 May 2003)

The Commission would refer the Honourable Members to its joint reply to Written Questions E-0356/03 by Mr Newton Dunn and Baroness Ludford (1), E-0086/03 by Mr Helmer (2) and Written Question E-0097/03 by Mr Whitehead (2) on the same subject.

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As far as Guatemala is concerned, the Commission would like to add the following elements:

| — | the Commission is aware that the United Nations Verification Mission in Guatemala (Minugua), as well as local and international human rights organisations have reported a general deterioration in the situation of human rights during recent months, with several attacks against and murders of street children. In particular, the Inter-American Human Rights Commission has expressly pointed out the Guatemalan State's non observance of a set of recommendations made to guarantee the prevention of human rights violations by state agents, including aggression against street children. However, as in Honduras, there is no evidence of an institutional state policy aimed at infringing human rights; |
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the Commission is aware that the United Nations Verification Mission in Guatemala (Minugua), as well as local and international human rights organisations have reported a general deterioration in the situation of human rights during recent months, with several attacks against and murders of street children. In particular, the Inter-American Human Rights Commission has expressly pointed out the Guatemalan State's non observance of a set of recommendations made to guarantee the prevention of human rights violations by state agents, including aggression against street children. However, as in Honduras, there is no evidence of an institutional state policy aimed at infringing human rights;

| — | the Commission will continue to urge the Guatemalan authorities to make additional effort to ensure respect for the rule of law. In line with the Resolution on human rights in Guatemala that the Parliament issued in April 2003, the Commission's main objective for the Consultative Group Meeting for Guatemala, scheduled in Guatemala City for the beginning of May 2003, is to encourage the local authorities and society to accelerate the implementation of the Peace Accords signed in 1996, to promote human rights as well as to reinforce the judicial system. |
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the Commission will continue to urge the Guatemalan authorities to make additional effort to ensure respect for the rule of law. In line with the Resolution on human rights in Guatemala that the Parliament issued in April 2003, the Commission's main objective for the Consultative Group Meeting for Guatemala, scheduled in Guatemala City for the beginning of May 2003, is to encourage the local authorities and society to accelerate the implementation of the Peace Accords signed in 1996, to promote human rights as well as to reinforce the judicial system.

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(1)  See page 11.

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(2)  See page 5.

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