WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1853/98 by Maartje van PUTTEN to the Commission. Interim trade agreement with Mexico in relation to the violation of human rights in Mexico
Date: 1998-06-12
Institutions: European Parliament, VAN PUTTEN
Subjects: Mexico, human rights, interim agreement (EU), non-governmental organisation, political cooperation, trade agreement













EUR-Lex - 91998E1853 - EN






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91998E1853

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1853/98 by Maartje van PUTTEN to the Commission. Interim trade agreement with Mexico in relation to the violation of human rights in Mexico  


Official Journal C 013 , 18/01/1999 P. 0101 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-1853/98by Maartje van Putten (PSE) to the Commission(12 June 1998)Subject: Interim trade agreement with Mexico in relation to the violation of human rights in MexicoIn connection with the interim agreement on trade with Mexico which was concluded in December 1997 and in view of the human rights clauses incorporated in it:1. does the Commission maintain contact with human rights organizations either in Mexico or elsewhere? If so, are these contacts regular, and how is the information which is received assessed? If not, why not?2. what other sources does the Commission use in order to assess the human rights situation in Mexico?3. what is the substance of the cooperation measures(1) to promote human rights and democracy which were planned in connection with the interim agreement between the EU and Mexico?4. what other measures does the Commission intend to take, in the light of the legal framework provided by the interim agreement for an effective dialogue with Mexico with regard to respect for human rights?Answer given by Mr Marín on behalf of the Commission(22 July 1998)The Commission has been paying particular attention to the human rights situation in Mexico for many years. Even before the signing of last December's interim Agreement, which, like all Community agreements with non-member countries, is founded on the essential elements of respect for democratic principles and human rights, the Commission, in its dialogue with the Mexican authorities, consistently emphasised the importance of respect for these rights and the role of civil society in the democratic process.The Commission is in contact with various representatives of civil society, including non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and groups promoting and defending human rights. These highly constructive contacts contribute a great deal of information on the country. The bulk of information, however, comes from international sources, the Member States' missions and the Commission delegation in Mexico. This information allows proper assessment of the country's human rights situation.For many years the Commission has been backing the activities of civil society under the relevant programmes for Latin America. Cooperation schemes aimed at reinforcing democracy are carried out through local NGOs.To emphasise the importance of existing cooperation in its future dealings with Mexico, the Commission negotiated the inclusion in the Economic Partnership, Political Coordination and Cooperation Agreement, also signed last December, of a specific chapter on cooperation in the sphere of human rights and democracy (Article 39). This Agreement requires the assent of Parliament and the approval of the Council. As a mixed agreement, it also requires the approval of the Member States.The Commission will continue to use every means at its disposal to step up its dialogue with Mexico to achieve greater recognition for these issues and so make a more effective and constructive contribution to improving the country's human rights situation.(1) See reply to written question P-0292/98 - OJ C 223, 17.7.1998, p. 158.