EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 88/5

(2004/C 88 E/0006)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0097/03

by Phillip Whitehead (PSE) to the Commission

(28 January 2003)

Subject: The rights of street children in Honduras and Guatemala

Despite widespread international condemnation, street children in Honduras and Guatemala continue to live in fear of persecution. Since January 1998 at least 1 450 young people have been murdered in Honduras, 47 in October 2002 alone. Fifteen murder cases involving policemen have been given to the special investigative team which the Honduran Minister of Public Security set up in September. I understand that not one of the 15 cases has reached a conviction.

Can the Commission describe what support the EU is giving to the authorities in Honduras and Guatemala as well as other civil actors in terms of educational projects, residential programmes and job skills training for street children in order to help them to reintegrate into society? What attempts are being made to assist the authorities in bringing to justice those responsible for murders and harassment of street children? Has the Commission considered pressing the authorities on the importance of campaigns to promote tolerance within the wider community?

Joint answer

to Written Questions E-0086/03 and E-0097/03

given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(20 February 2003)

Widespread criminality continues to be of particular concern in spite of the efforts of the Honduran Government to deploy every possible means to tackle this problem. This reflects high levels of poverty and a lack of opportunities for the younger generations. Many of the murders of children and young people are reported in clashes between gangs. However, there are reports accusing security officers of being involved in some killings of children and young people, although, it has been accepted that these officers do not act on State orders nor does the killing of street children constitute State policy.

To address this issue, the Commission is supporting: the efforts of the relevant independent bodies in Honduras carrying out investigations on security officers allegedly involved in killings of children and young people; and the policies aimed at reducing poverty levels and vulnerability of young people through improved education, health and employment opportunities.

The Commission has followed closely the results of the report by United Nations special rapporteur Jahangir and largely shares its conclusions, although the Commission is not convinced that the establishment of a special ombudsman for children, as proposed in the United Nations report, should be given priority. On grounds of greater efficiency, a possible alternative would be granting increased competence for human resources and training to the Honduran Commissioner for Human Rights who under present conditions is competent on the issue. The creation of a special ombudsman could limit the powers of the Honduran Commissioner for the Human Rights which have been very hard to achieve in a young democracy like Honduras.

The Commission through a series of programmes is trying to reduce poverty, in particular for sensitive groups, by helping the government implement its Poverty Reduction Strategy Programme (PRSP). Apart from a large part of programmes aimed at improving social infrastructure (medical centres, schools, houses, water and sanitation) and environment, a special programme to boost reform in secondary education worth EUR 28 million is in preparation in close cooperation with the Inter-American Bank of Development.

Concerning Guatemala, the Commission is aware of the conditions of neglected children, as well as the increasing wave of violence and intimidation in the country. In line with the resolution on human rights in Guatemala that the Parliament adopted in April 2002, the Commission is endeavouring to use the various mechanisms at its disposal to influence this situation.

The Commission and Member States maintain a regular dialogue with the Guatemalan Government and representatives of civil society on the importance of promoting the well-being of all Guatemalan people on the basis of the full implementation of the Peace Accords signed in 1996. Within this framework, the Commission constantly urges the local public institutions to discourage and investigate any infringement of human rights or attacks against human rights activists.

The Commission has been supporting concrete cooperation actions in favour of children and their families in sectors such as health, education, fight against drugs and gender promotion. The Commission has also achieved positive results in several specific initiatives in support of young people and street children, which have been carried out by local non-governmental organisations.

In addition, in the framework of co-operation set by the Peace Accords, the Commission is encouraging the Guatemalan authorities, the National Police Force and the judiciary system to prevent any action against the rule of law. This programme will be complemented within the next few months by means of a specific initiative aimed at strengthening the judiciary system.

Finally, Guatemala is a focus country for Latin America in the framework of the ‘EU Initiative for Human Rights and Democracy’ (EIHRD) for the period 2002-2004.