WRITTEN QUESTION No. 995/98 by María SORNOSA MARTÍNEZ to the Commission. European Union relations with Equatorial Guinea
Date: 1998-04-02
Institutions: European Parliament, SORNOSA MARTINEZ
Subjects: EU relations, Equatorial Guinea, democratisation, dictatorship, ethnic group, government violence, human rights, national minority, protection of minorities













EUR-Lex - 91998E0995 - EN






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91998E0995

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 995/98 by María SORNOSA MARTÍNEZ to the Commission. European Union relations with Equatorial Guinea  


Official Journal C 402 , 22/12/1998 P. 0055 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-0995/98by María Sornosa Martínez (GUE/NGL) to the Commission(2 April 1998)Subject: European Union relations with Equatorial GuineaLast year, the President of the Guinean Government, Toedoro Obiang, met the President of the Commission, Jacques Santer, with a view to establishing fresh arrangements on cooperation between the European Union and Equatorial Guinea.The tenor of Obiang's talks with Santer are flatly contradicted by his government's active policy of repression, involving the rape of Bubi women, indiscriminate killing on a daily basis, and the arrest and extremely summary trial of 300 prisoners all belonging to the Bubi people and mostly associated with NGOs and the Movement for the Self-Determination of the Island of Bioko (MSIB), the major Bubi political party.Furthermore, the Community aid received by Equatorial Guinea to assist with democratization and enhanced respect for human rights was withdrawn when the country did not meet its commitments.1. What is the Commission going to do to make the Obiang Government fulfill its commitment to democratization and respect for human rights?2. What is the Commission's position as regards the mockery of justice represented by the extremely summary trial currently being prepared by the Government Equatorial Guinea, a trial which, it is feared, will result in a large number of death sentences?3. What line will the Commission be taking with regard to cooperation with Equatorial Guinea?Answer given by Mr Pinheiro on behalf of the Commission(12 May 1998)The Commission is aware of the problematic transition to democracy in Equatorial Guinea, particularly where the basic freedoms of the opposition are concerned. It is closely monitoring political developments in the country and has been in contact with the government over the incidents to which the Honourable Member refers. It has made clear to the government its deep concern at the grave violations of human rights by the police and army, which became involved in these incidents.Following various representations, the Guinean authorities have told the Commission that the perpetrators of human rights violations will be tried and punished. Those responsible for the events last January will be brought before a public trial which observers from the EU and representatives of Amnesty International may attend.The gradual resumption of cooperation with Equatorial Guinea still depends on the real progress it makes towards respecting human rights, democratic principles and the rule of law, in accordance with Article 5 of the fourth Lomé Convention.