WRITTEN QUESTION No. 331/98 by Stefano DE LUCA to the Commission. Freedom of association and thought consistent with human rights
Date: 1998-02-06
Institutions: DE LUCA, European Parliament
Subjects: Italy, freedom of association, freedom of opinion, fundamental rights, human rights, protection of freedoms, religious sect, representative of local or regional authority

C 223/168

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

17. 7. 98

(98/C 223/218)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0331/98

by Stefano De Luca (ELDR) to the Commission

(6 February 1998)

Subject: Freedom of association and thought consistent with human rights

Is the Commission aware that an Italian regional law, Law No 34 issued by Marche region, stipulates that

1.
candidates for appointment to regional bodies must declare that they do not belong to any Masonic lodge?

Does the Commission not consider that this law might prejudice the freedom of thought and association

2.
which individuals should enjoy?

3.
Given that the persons affected are European citizens, what steps will the Commission take to ensure that
the rule of law is restored and no local restrictions of this type can be imposed in future on free citizens who
belong to universally known religious or non-religious organizations?

Does the Commission not consider the law in question to be contrary to the Treaty and in particular the

4.
principles relating to fundamental freedoms?

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

(19 February 1998)

The Commission sets great store by respect for human rights throughout the world. The treaties, however, have
not given the Union any general powers to enforce respect for fundamental rights. Its only competence in this
respect is within the scope of Community law, which is based on respect for fundamental rights.

Regarding  the  facts  reported  by  the  Honourable  Member,  the  Commission  would  point  out  that  respect  for
human  rights  and  fundamental  freedoms  is  amply  assured  in  the  Member  States,  both  domestically  by  legal
remedies and, externally, by the machinery put in place by the European Convention for the Protection of Human
Rights and Fundamental Freedoms.

As Community law stands the facts referred to by the Honourable Member are solely a matter for Member States.

(98/C 223/219)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0334/98

by Thomas Megahy (PSE) to the Commission

(17 February 1998)

Subject: Violation by the United States authorities of rights guaranteed by the Vienna Convention on consular

relations

Between 60 and 100 foreign nationals have been condemned to death in the United States of America and are
currently awaiting execution. At least 8 of these are citizens of Member States of the European Union. Under
Article  36  of  the  Vienna  Convention  on  consular  relations,  to  which  the  United  States  is  a  signatory,  every
foreign  national  should  in  such  circumstances  be  given  access  to  his  or  her  consul.  Few  of  the  condemned
prisoners have been given such access.

As  the  Commission  is  committed  to  raising  human  rights  issues  during  trade  negotiations  and  in  other
appropriate  fora,  will  it  be  doing  so  in  relation  to  this  clear  violation  of  both  human  rights  and  civilized
behaviour?

Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan on behalf of the Commission

(27 March 1998)

The Commission is conducting a detailed investigation of the problem raised by the Honourable Member and
will inform him of the outcome as soon as possible.