WRITTEN QUESTION E-3982/00

by Carlos Carnero González (PSE) to the Commission

(20 December 2000)

Subject: Advisability of exploratory talks between the Commission and the UN representative for Equatorial Guinea

On 23 November last I met Mr Gustavo Gallón Giraldo, the UN representative for Equatorial Guinea, in Madrid.

Unlikely as it may sound, Mr Giraldo was in Madrid because the government of Equatorial Guinea had not authorised him to visit the country in order to carry out his duties.

The UN representative is drawing up his forthcoming report on the situation in Equatorial Guinea in preparation for the meeting of the UN Human Rights Commission in the spring.

Does the Commission not think that it would be advisable to have official, regular contact with the UN representative for Equatorial Guinea?

Does such contact already exist? If not, is it to be established in the future?

Does the Commission believe that an exchange of information and views on the situation of democratic principles and human rights in Equatorial Guinea could usefully be held with Mr Giraldo?

Would it not be appropriate to extend a formal invitation to him to visit Brussels to supplement the EU's impressions following the meeting between Romano Prodi and Teodoro Obiang?

Does the Commission intend to ask Malabo to explain why the UN representative was denied authorisation to enter the country?

Is the report of the EU mission which has visited Equatorial Guinea in the autumn already available?

Answer given by Mr Nielson on behalf of the Commission

(21 February 2001)

The Commission already has regular contacts with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, which acts as the secretariat for the Special Representative of the UN Commission on Human Rights for Equatorial Guinea, Gustavo Gallon Giraldo. This dialogue provides an opportunity for the exchange of information.

The Commission shares and supports the position and views of the UN Human Rights Commission and the Special Representative for Equatorial Guinea. The Commission has strongly urged the government of Equatorial Guinea to commit itself to following the recommendations made.

The press release issued after the meeting between the President of the Commission and President Obiang expressly states that an assessment of the situation in Equatorial Guinea would be carried out in a year's time and the participation of the Special Representative of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights and Special Rapporteurs had been requested.

All information in the Commission's possession has already been forwarded to the Special Representative, and a written answer has been given to his letter of 2 October 2000 concerning the Commission's human rights activities in Equatorial Guinea.

The Commission underlined the importance of the mission of the Special Representative and other Rapporteurs in its letter to the President of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea of 14 September 2000.

On learning that the government of Equatorial Guinea had not renewed its invitation to the Special Representative to visit the country in 2000, the Commission sent the Embassy of Equatorial Guinea a further letter on 15 December 2000 expressing its concern.

Reports on the three components of the joint Community-Interparliamentary Union mission of September/October 2000 are available. However the summary report which will form the basis for a financing proposal has not yet been finalised.