WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2887/97 by Glyn FORD to the Council. Religious persecution in Sudan
Date: 1997-09-16
Institutions: European Parliament, FORD
Subjects: Islam, Sudan, freedom of religious beliefs, human rights, peacekeeping, religious discrimination, religious group, rights of minorities

C 117/94

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

16. 4. 98

The  Board  of  Heads  of  Administration  has  held  an  initial  discussion  with  a  view  to  developing  a  common
approach for the European institutions. Discussion will continue in this forum.

The  question  of  age  limits  for  recruitment  will  be  discussed  along  with  other  matters  in  the  context  of  the
forthcoming entry into force of the new Article (Article 6a) inserted in the EC Treaty by the Amsterdam Treaty,
prohibiting discrimination on various grounds, including age, and in the light of general practice in this field in
the Member States.

(1)  OJ C 45, 10.2.1998, p. 63.

(98/C 117/119)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2887/97

by Glyn Ford (PSE) to the Council

(16 September 1997)

Subject: Religious persecution in Sudan

Is the Council aware of the lack of tolerance shown by the Sudanese government towards non-Islamic religious
groups within the country?

What actin is the Council taking to pressure the Sudanese authorities into halting these abuses of human rights?

Answer

(26 Novembr 1997)

The  Council  notes  with  regret  that  for  several  years  now  Sudan  has  not  been  respecting  the  United  Nations
Conventions  on  Human  Rights,  inter  alia  regarding  religious  freedom.    This  was  moreover  confirmed  by
Resolution 51/112 of the United Nations General Assembly of 5 March 1997.  In its contacts with the Sudanese
authorities, the European Union has always urged them to halt the intolerance and violence towards non-Islamic
sectors of the population.  In this context, the Union has frequently reaffirmed its support for the efforts made to
bring  peace  to  Sudan  and  in  particular  for  the  initiatives  taken  by  the  IGAD  countries.    The  Union  remains
prepared to contribute in every way possible to the peace process and the conclusion of an agreement which
allows all Sudanese to live freely together.

(98/C 117/120)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2888/97

by Glyn Ford (PSE) to the Council

(16 September 1997)

Subject: Death of Rev. Yusefi in Iran, September 1996

Can the Council provide information on what action it has taken following the murder of Rev. Yusefi, a pastor of
the Iranian Assemblies of God, in Iran in September 1996?

Is the Council aware that Rev. Yusefi was possibly murdered simply because of his Christian beliefs? Does this
not constitute an abuse of human rights?

Answer

(26 November 1997)

Mohammad Yusefi, who converted to Christianity at the age of 24 and who pastored Christian congregations in
Iran, was found dead on 28 September 1996  near his home city of Sari, in Mazandaran province.  Reports about
the circumstances surrounding his death suggested that he might have been murdered and several persons were
detained for questioning.  The Iranian authorities however maintain that Mr Yusefi had committed suicide and
that neither the church to which he belonged nor Mr Yusefi himself had any problem with the Iranian authorities.