WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1768/98 by Anna KARAMANOU to the Council. Respect for human rights in Mexico
Date: 1998-06-08
Institutions: European Parliament
Subjects: Mexico, forced disappearance, human rights, interim agreement (EU), non-governmental organisation













EUR-Lex - 91998E1768 - EN






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91998E1768

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1768/98 by Anna KARAMANOU to the Council. Respect for human rights in Mexico  


Official Journal C 354 , 19/11/1998 P. 0123 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-1768/98 by Anna Karamanou (PSE) to the Council (8 June 1998)Subject: Respect for human rights in MexicoAccording to Amnesty International, there has been an increase in the number of people 'disappearing' in Mexico over the last four years. Most of the disappearances have taken place on the pretext of suppressing revolutionary uprisings and cracking down on drugs trafficking, whereas the victims were members of peaceful organizations, indigenous communities, students and teachers.Having regard to the conclusion of the interim agreement on trade and trade-related issues between the EU and Mexico, and the 'democratic clause' of that agreement, what measures will the Council take to ensure respect for human rights in Mexico?Answer (20 July 1998)1. The Council wishes first of all to inform you that, in its declaration of 24 December 1997 on the Actal massacre, the Presidency of the Union gave a reminder that the EU and the United States of Mexico had recently signed a cooperation agreement in which the two parties undertook unreservedly to respect democratic principles and fundamental human rights and the principles of the rule of law.In the context of an informal ministerial meeting between the Troika of the European Union and Mexico which took place in Panama on 12 February 1998, the Mexican Minister took the opportunity to provide information on the measures taken by her Government, including those regarding respect for human rights, to overcome the political problems the country was facing. The Mexican Minister also observed that respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, the principles of democracy and political pluralism formed the basis of relations between the EU and Mexico, a view with which the EU Ministers concurred.At the 54th Session of the Commission on Human Rights in Geneva, the Union launched an appeal to the Mexican Government for it to put a swift end to impunity, for example in cases where police officers were involved in torture or other crimes. The Union also expressed its support and encouragement to the National Commission on Human Rights in Mexico and to local NGOs to continue their work of defending and promoting human rights.2. The Council also wishes to inform the Honourable Member that the Interim Agreement on trade between the EU and Mexico, which will enable the process of trade liberalisation to be launched, entered into force on 1 July 1998. The first Joint Council meeting was held on 14 July 1998, alongside the General Affairs Council. The Agreement is the ideal framework in which to continue the dialogue begun with the Mexican authorities on all questions of mutual interest and in particular the human rights situation. The Council will not fail to reiterate the importance of respect for human rights, which constitutes one of the pillars of the Agreement in question, whenever appropriate.