WRITTEN QUESTION E-0910/97 by Wilfried Telkämper (V) to the Commission (12 March 1997)

Subject: Worsening human rights violations in Mexico

In the run-up to the mid-1997 elections in Mexico, in which the ruling PRI is threatened with heavy losses, a disturbing upsurge is being recorded in grave violations of democratic principles and human rights, in particular the right of freedom of expression and trade-union rights, that poses a threat to society at every level.

- Journalists who file reports on government corruption, the complicity of government departments in drug-dealing or even on simple social injustices, have been threatened, persecuted, beaten up, tortured, abducted, and even shot. An recent extreme case is the murder of journalist Yolanda Figuerra, her husband F. Balderas and their children early in December (see Observer for 8.12.1996). As testimony to numerous other cases, I enclose the letter from Human Rights Watch to President Zedillo of 14.11.1996.

- Human Rights Watch has also established that the government tacitly, and indeed overtly, supports acts of violence by PRI groups, and fails to prosecute acts of terrorism against its critics.

- Lawful social movements are being suppressed and threatened, and workers' rights continuously violated under the corporatist political system, which seeks all the more ruthlessly to prevent independent trade unions from being formed.

- Human-rights defenders have received death threats, in particular the acknowledged PRODH Centre.

1. Is the Commission informed of these developments and has it consulted on this situation (e.g. in the context of CFSP)?

2. Has the Commission made representations to Mexico on the basis of the appropriate preamble to the existing Convention with Mexico and the Paris Solemn Declaration?

3. Is the Commission prepared in these circumstances to issue a binding declaration stipulating that in any new Convention with Mexico, the human rights clause, as provided for by the Council for all conventions, will be an essential requirement?

Answer given by Mr Marín on behalf of the Commission (24 April 1997)

The Commission has been keeping a close eye on the human rights situation in Mexico.

The process of political reform and economic liberalization in the country prompted the Union to step up bilateral relations. It is clear, however, that Mexico's efforts to modernize its institutions and establish a more liberal political climate still have some way to go and political tensions are still running high.

It is against this backdrop that, as the Honourable Member said, certain human rights organizations have been threatened or intimidated. As far as the murder of journalist Yolanda Figuerra and her family is concerned, the Commission does not have enough information to establish the identity of the perpetrators or the motives for the murder.

Representations to the Mexican authorities, as alluded to by the Honourable Member, could be made within the framework of the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) on a mandate from all the Member States. Such an approach may be taken independently of any existing cooperation agreement with the third country in question and may be done either confidentially or publicly, depending on which approach the CFSP partners, and in particular the Presidency, deem to be most appropriate.

In addition to being fully involved in CFSP activities, the Commission systematically underlines, in its contacts with the Mexican authorities, the importance of respect for human rights and the role of civil society in the context of political modernization. It also maintains regular contact with non-governmental organizations and human rights organizations in the country, supporting them within the bounds of its limited resources.

As for the negotiation of a new agreement with Mexico, the Council has approved negotiating directives on the basis of a Commission proposal which provides for the inclusion of clauses on human rights and democracy. The Commission will ensure, therefore, that such clauses form the cornerstone of any future agreement with Mexico and, indeed, with all third countries.