EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 88/448

(2004/C 88 E/0457)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-3057/03

by Bartho Pronk (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(14 October 2003)

Subject: Human rights situation in Guatemala, particularly the situation of Mr Rogoberto Dueñas Morales

1. Is the Commission aware of the disappearance of Mr Rogoberto Dueñas Morales, deputy Secretary-General of the Unión Autónoma de Campesinos and deputy Secretary-General of the Central General de Trabajadores de Guatemala?

2. Is the Commission aware that his disappearance is probably connected to the fact that he raised the question of government-linked corrupt practices in the Guatemalan social security system, for which the government is partly responsible?

3. Is the Commission prepared to express its concern at this disappearance, and to exert the necessary pressure to obtain a clarification about the fate of Mr Dueñas Morales?

4. What, in the light of this disappearance, is the opinion of the Commission on the human rights situation in Guatemala?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(5 November 2003)

The Commission is aware of the Mr Rigoberto Duenãs Morales case in Guatemala and is trying to get more detailed information. The Commission is also exchanging views with Member States before deciding what measures could be taken. Contact has also been made on this issue with Mr José Pinzón, Secretary General of the Central General de Trabajadores de Guatemala.

The Commission is concerned about the general deterioration in the situation of human rights and impunity in the country, as it has been reported recently by local and international human rights organisations including the United Nations Verification Mission in Guatemala (Minugua) and the Inter-American Human Rights Commission of the Organisation of the American States (OAS). In particular, as declared by the Union Presidency on 22 August 2003 and by the European Council on 18 October 2003, the Commission is worried about the build-up of tension and continuous infringements of human rights that has been occurring during the pre-electoral phase.

Within this framework the Commission and the Member States have asked the representatives of the judicial system, including the President of the Supreme Court of Justice, to redouble their efforts to investigate the attacks against human rights and fight against impunity. As far as the upcoming elections are concerned, a Union Election Observation Mission has been deployed throughout the country since the end of September 2003, aimed at monitoring the whole election process until the beginning of January 2004. In addition to providing a comprehensive report and recommendations on the election process, the Union Election Observation Mission seeks to enhance the confidence of Guatemalan voters in the electoral process and to reduce tension and violence in the country.

It should be underlined that the Commission is present in Guatemala by means of co-operation programmes aimed at encouraging the local counterparts and authorities to make progress in areas such as the promotion of human rights or the justice system, including the ‘EU Initiative for Democracy and Human Rights’ (EIDHR).

Finally, one of the Commission's main objectives further to the Consultative Group Meeting held in Guatemala City in May 2003, is to encourage the Guatemala authorities and society to accelerate the implementation of the Peace Accords signed in 1996, as well as to promote human rights and the fight against impunity.