WRITTEN QUESTION No. 950/98 by Iñigo MÉNDEZ DE VIGO to the Council. Fighting on both sides of the border between Rwanda and Congo
Date: 1998-03-31
Institutions: European Parliament, MENDEZ DE VIGO
Subjects: Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, armed forces, civil war, democracy, ethnic group, frontier region, human rights

2. 10. 98

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 304/161

(98/C 304/246)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0873/98

by John Cushnahan (PPE) to the Council

(31 March 1998)

Subject: Human rights in Mexico

Is the Council aware that human rights groups state that 45 unarmed indigenous people in the state of Chiapas,
Mexico, were killed in December 1997 by paramilitary supporters of the ruling PRI party?

Has the Council received details of this incident, and what action does it propose to take in the light of the clause
on the observation of human rights and democracy in the recent trade agreement drawn up between the EU and
Mexico?

Answer

(8 June 1998)

On 24 December 1997, on the basis of information immediately broadcasted by the media, which the Mexican
authorities  themselves  confirmed,  the  Presidency,  on  behalf  of  the  European  Union,  made  the  following
statement condemning in the strongest terms the massacre perpetrated by paramilitary groups against Tzotzil
Indians on 23 December 1997 in the Mexican State of Chiapas, causing the death of 46 civilians:

(cid:145)The Presidency of the European Union calls on the Government of the United States of Mexico to carry out an
enquiry without delay to ascertain the full details regarding the massacre and to ensure that the perpetrators are
brought to justice. It has noted the undertaking given to this effect by President Zedillo and trusts that it will be
carried out.

The Presidency of the European Union expresses its concern regarding the human rights situation in this region
of Mexico.

It  calls  on  the  Mexican  authorities  to  take  all  the  measures  necessary  to  guarantee  the  safety  of  the  civilian
population in the State of Chiapas.

It would point out in this context that the European Union and the United States of Mexico have recently signed a
cooperation  agreement  in  which  the  two  parties  undertake  unreservedly  to  respect  democratic  principles  and
fundamental human rights and the principles of the rule of law.(cid:146)

The Council continues to follow closely developments in Chiapas, including through its Heads of Mission in
Mexico. In the context of an informal meeting at ministerial level between the Troika of the European Union and
Mexico, held in Panama on 12 February 1998, the Mexican Minister took the opportunity to inform of the steps
taken by the Mexican Government after the tragic events in Chiapas. EU Ministers took note of the assurance
given by the Mexican Minister of the importance attached by the Mexican Government to the peaceful resolution
of  the  conflict  in  Chiapas.  In  this  regard,  the  Mexican  Minister  reiterated  that  respect  for  human  rights  and
fundamental freedoms, the principles of democracy and political pluralism form the basis for relations between
the EU and Mexico, and the EU Ministers agreed.

(98/C 304/247)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0950/98

by In(cid:152) igo Me·ndez de Vigo (PPE) to the Council

(31 March 1998)

Subject: Fighting on both sides of the border between Rwanda and Congo

The  border  between  the  former  Zaire  and  Rwanda  has  become  a  battlefield,  in  which  two  separate  wars  are
currently  being  waged.  On  one  side  of  the  border,  in  Butembo,  300  people  have  been  killed  in  the  fighting
between the Maimai militia and Kabila(cid:146)s forces whilst, over the border, near Guitarama, 2 000 Hutu extremists
are surrounded by the Rwandan army whose aim is to exterminate them, having already slaughtered 135 Hutus.
So  far,  the  death  toll  in  the  fighting  on  both  sides  of  the  border  has  reached  435.  The  situation  is  extremely
unstable on both fronts and neither Kabila(cid:146)s forces nor the Rwandan army appear to be in control.