WRITTEN QUESTION E-2033/99 by Glyn Ford (PSE) to the Council. Detainee Thet Win Aung.
Date: 1999-11-11
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Myanmar/Burma, common foreign and security policy, political prisoner

C 203 E/120

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

18.7.2000

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(20 December 1999)

The Commission has taken due note of concerns on possible harmful effects on health of electromagnetic
fields.

On 9 March 1999, the Council and the Parliament adopted Directive 1999/5/EC on radio equipment and
telecommunications terminal equipment and the mutual recognition of their conformity (1). This lays down
the requirements that radio transmitters need to meet in order to be placed on the market and be
operated. It envisages that Member States may restrict operation for health reasons, e.g. by imposing
certain minimum distances between the transmitter and the public.

On 8 June 1999, the Council adopted Recommendation 1999/519/EC proposed by the Commission on
the limitation of exposure of the general public to electromagnetic fields (2). This takes account of the
scientific opinion of the International commission on non-ionizing radiation, supported by the Commis-
sion(cid:146)s scientific steering committee referring to established effects on human health of exposure to
electromagnetic fields.

In this context, it should be noted that the extensive research done in Europe through the co-ordinated
action of the COST 244 and 244bis projects over the last decade has not demonstrated any reproducible
detrimental effects on health at the levels of radio-frequency emissions typical of mobile phones and cell
masts.

As a result of the widespread use of mobile phones, it is clear that if there is an adverse health effect, it
could be a longer term effect. Therefore, research should further continue to measure such effects and the
results of on-going and future research in this area will be considered in the context of the reporting
procedure provided for in the text of the Recommendation.

In the context of the Fifth framework programme for research, technological development and demonstra-
tion (3), the programme on (cid:145)Quality of life and management of living resources(cid:146) (4) foresees in its key
action 4 (cid:145)Environment and health(cid:146) specific research on the health effects of electromagnetic radiation and
in particular epidemiological and biomedical studies to determine possible effects linked to non-ionising
radiation, particularly from cellular phones and antennas (point 2 of the quality of
life work pro-
gramme) (5). Several applications relevant to this field are processed for possible funding for the 1999
budget.

(1) OJ L 91, 7.4.1999.
(2) OJ L 199, 30.7.1999.
(3) OJ C 173, 7.6.1997.
(4) COM(98) 305 final.
(5) Commission decision No C/99/493 of 4.3.1999.

(2000/C 203 E/152)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2033/99

by Glyn Ford (PSE) to the Council

(11 November 1999)

Subject: Detainee Thet Win Aung

Has the Council made representations to Burma with regard to the case of Thet Win Aung whom
Amnesty International have identified as a Prisoner of Conscience? If not, will the Council do so?

Answer

(24 January 2000)

The Council has not so far raised the specific case of Thet Win Aung, but it has repeatedly called on the
Burmese regime to free all political prisoners and take early and concrete steps towards respect for human
rights, the promotion of democracy and national reconciliation.