WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2318/97 by Leonie van BLADEL to the Council. The humanitarian situation of prisoners in Morocco
Date: 1997-07-18
Institutions: European Parliament, VAN BLADEL
Subjects: Morocco, Netherlands, consulate, human rights, prison system, prisoner

3. 4. 98

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 102/25

The ancient city of Haskif (Hasankeyf) was their centre and is in danger of being buried under mud once the dam
at Lusu › being built by Turkey to which the region belongs › is completed. Turkey, however, is a signatory to
the international UNESCO Conventions (of Granada and Malta) on the protection of antiquities.

What measures will the Commission take to protect the antiquities of this region?

Answer given by Mr Van den Broek on behalf of the Commission

(23 September 1997)

The  Commission  shares  the  Honourable  Member’s  concern  about  the  threat  to  the  ancient  city  of  Haskif
(Hasankeyf) once construction of the dam at Lusu is completed.

The Commission recalls that Turkey, like all signatories of United Nations educational, scientific and cultural
organization conventions, has specific obligations as to the protection of antiquities. The Commission, therefore,
expresses the wish that the Turkish authorities have undertaken all appropriate measures to ensure the protection
of this important archaeological site and its preservation for future generations.

Furthermore, the Commission has raised the issue in its regular contacts with the Turkish authorities.

(98/C 102/37)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2308/97

by Heidi Hautala (V) to the Council

(18 July 1997)

Subject: Health risks of silicone implants

According to recent research silicone implants inserted to increase the size of women(cid:146)s breasts may leak silicone
into the body, which can result in serious damage to health. Silicone is also thought to migrate to the foetus in
pregnant women, with serious consequences. In the USA a number of court cases with far-reaching implications
are under way against the manufacturers of silicone implants, which may result in the authorities banning such
implants.

Is the Council aware of  the serious damage to  health caused  by  silicone,  and  in particular  of the claims that
silicone may migrate to other parts of the body and to the foetus? Is the Council considering measures to tighten
the product liability of silicone implant manufacturers? Does the Council intend to ban them?

Answer

(17 November 1997)

The question to which the Honourable Member refers has not yet been submitted to the Council.

At this stage, the Honourable Member could apply to the Commission to ascertain whether it intends to take up
that question.

(98/C 102/38)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2318/97

by Leonie van Bladel (UPE) to the Council

(18 July 1997)

Subject: The humanitarian situation of prisoners in Morocco

Is  the  Netherlands  Presidency  of  the  Council  aware  of  the  degrading  humanitarian  conditions  in  which

1.
prisoners are kept in Morocco?

Has the Netherlands Presidency considered holding consultations with the Moroccan Government with a

2.
view to improving humanitarian conditions for prisoners in Moroccan prisons?