WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3136/97 by Rijk van DAM to the Commission. Freedom of religion in Morocco
Date: 1997-10-13
Institutions: European Parliament, VAN DAM
Subjects: Christianity, Morocco, association agreement (EU), freedom of religious beliefs, human rights, religious discrimination, religious group, right to justice

C 117/154

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

16. 4. 98

In 1993 ESA founded the Inter-agency space debris coordination committee (IADC) together with the American,
Russian,  and  Japanese  space  agencies.  The  French,  German,  British  and  Indian  space  agencies  joined  the
inter-agency  committee  later.  The  IADC  brings  together  the  worldwide  available  technical  expertise  and
know-how on space debris.

Since  1994  space  debris  is  on  the  agenda  at  the  sessions  of  the  scientific  and  technical  subcommittee  of  the
United Nations’ committee of the peaceful uses of outer space (Copuos).

The  Commission  is  following  and  will  continue  to  follow  the  international  activities  to  agree  on  rules  and
guidelines for conducting space operations.

(98/C 117/208)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3136/97

by Rijk van Dam (I-EDN) to the Commission

(13 October 1997)

Subject: Freedom of religion in Morocco

In its answer to Written Question E-1759/96 by Leen van der Waal on the violation of the rights of religious
minorities in Morocco, the Commission stated that it would pass on its misgivings to the Moroccan authorities
concerning respect for human rights in Morocco. I should therefore like to draw your attention to the following:

Two Christians, one American (Timothy Lamb) and one South Korean (Joohyun Ahn) were recently arrested in
Fez, Morocco, and expelled from the country after a few days(cid:146) detention on the grounds of proselytizing. This is
in spite of the fact that no enticements were used to make any Muslim renounce his religion. When their house
was searched all that was found was a number of video cassettes and tapes with Christian messages and a few
Arabic Bibles. According to reports, a judge in Fez gave Lamb the option of embracing Islam, in which case he
would be acquitted. Lamb was also given no opportunity to consult his embassy or instruct a lawyer.

Can the Commission confirm these reports, and does it agree that this action by the courts and judicial

1.
authorities in Morocco violates the right to religious freedom and the right to a fair trial?

2.
Is the Commission prepared to inform the Moroccan authorities that this incident is in conflict with the
association agreement between the EU and Morocco and that it is concerned about the situation of the Christian
minority in Morocco?

Answer given by Mr Marin on behalf of the Commission

(3 November 1997)

1.

The Commission cannot confirm the information contained in the Honourable Member’s question.

As for the questions of substance raised by the Honourable Member, he is referred to the Commission’s

2.
answer to written question E-1759/96 by Mr Van der Waal (1).

(1)  OJ C 345, 15.11.1996.

(98/C 117/209)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-3142/97

by Elisabeth Schroedter (V) to the Commission

(30 September 1997)

Subject: Subsidies for brown coal in Brandenbourg

1.

Did the Commission give notice of the subsidy for the new power station in Frankfurt an der Oder?