WRITTEN QUESTION No. 120/99 by Anna KARAMANOU Use of unacceptable medieval methods of interrogation in Israel - 'legalisation' of torture
Date: 1999-02-02
Institutions: European Parliament, KARAMANOU
Subjects: Amnesty International, Israel, human rights, prison system, prisoner, torture

C 325/72

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

12.11.1999

(1999/C 325/090)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0119/99

by John Iversen (PSE) and Freddy Blak (PSE) to the Commission

Subject: Youth team members in Denmark enslaved by contract terms

(2 February 1999)

There have unfortunately been examples in Denmark of young football players under 18 years of age signing
contracts with football clubs under which they are treated like serfs. The numbers of junior and youth
contracts have increased in recent years. At present, a player must be 16, but the age limit is to be lowered to
15 next summer. The likely result of this is more unfortunate cases of young people being tied to their
employers.

Some of the youngsters who break off their contracts before they expire end up having to pay hefty fines, and
high transfer fees prevent them from furthering their footballing careers.

Does the Commission consider such contracts, under which youths are treated like serfs, to be compatible with
European legal practice in this area following the Bosman judgment?

Answer given by Mr Oreja on behalf of the Commission

(26 March 1999)

The question asked by the two Honourable Members would seem rather to come under Danish national law.
As Community law would not seem to cover the contracts concerned, the Danish authorities must examine
the compatibility of such contracts with national law. The latter should take account of the terms of Council
Directive 94/33/EC of 22 June 1994 on the protection of young people at work (1).

The effects of the Bosman judgement (2) apply only to transfers between Member States. The Court of Justice
ruling requires that in such cases the contracts must not contain clauses limiting freedom of movement.

(1) OJ L 216, 20.8.1994.
(2) Case C-415/93, [1995] ECR I-4921.

(1999/C 325/091)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0120/99

by Anna Karamanou (PSE) to the Commission

(2 February 1999)

Subject: Use of unacceptable medieval methods of interrogation in Israel < ‘legalisation’ of torture

Amnesty International has recently alleged that unacceptable, anachronistic methods of torture are being used
in Israel. The Israeli Supreme Court is reviewing the unacceptable, medieval methods of interrogation used by
the Israeli security service, Shin Bet, such as the violent shaking of detainees, depriving them of sleep for days
on end, forcing them to adopt uncomfortable positions for hours, to listen to shrill noises incessantly,
confining them in rooms the size of cupboards and exposing them alternately to excessive heat and excessive
cold.

In what way will the Commission intercede to protect human rights and prevent the ‘legalisation’ of torture in
Israel?

Answer given by Mr Marín on behalf of the Commission

(11 March 1999)

The Commission is aware that the Israeli Supreme Court has accepted the use of so-called ‘moderate physical
pressure’ by Israeli security services while questioning detainees. Such practices are subject to guidelines and
conditions mainly laid down in the report, of which at least parts remain secret, of the Landau Commission of
enquiry following the death of two Palestinian militiamen who had been arrested alive by the preventive
security service after highjacking an Israeli bus.