WRITTEN QUESTION E-2140/00 by Antonio Tajani (PPE-DE), Mario Mauro (PPE-DE) and Mario Mantovani (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Violation of human rights and international law in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Date: 2000-06-30
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Democratic Republic of the Congo, EU programme, European Development Fund, European Union, common foreign and security policy, human rights, humanitarian aid, rule of law

C 81 E/158

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

13.3.2001

(2001/C 81 E/201)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2140/00

by Antonio Tajani (PPE-DE), Mario Mauro (PPE-DE) and
Mario Mantovani (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(30 June 2000)

Subject: Violation of human rights and international law in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)

What action does the Commission intend to take in support of the appeal made by the African Bishops(cid:146)
Conference concerning the alarming plight of the people of the DRC?

In particular, is it aware of the serious violations of human rights and international law being perpetrated
in that country?

The fighting between Rwandan, Burundian and Ugandan troops, the genocidal acts and atrocities being
committed against children, the unrelenting violence to which women and girls are being submitted and
the systematic plunder of the DRC(cid:146)s raw material resources are forcing women and children into the
forests to hide from the criminals.

How does the Commission intend to help ensure that these continuing violations of the human rights of
the Congolese people are brought to an end?

How does it intend to ensure that the EU Member States provide the DRC and the Central African
countries with the resources they require to get their agricultural systems and their economies back on
their feet?

Does it have any plans to provide African students with grants enabling them to gain the knowledge their
countries need in order to rebuild the infrastructure required for the development of the whole of Africa?

Finally, what action does it intend to take with a view to securing the cancellation of the DRC(cid:146)s entire
foreign debt?

Answer given by Mr Nielson on behalf of the Commission

(7 September 2000)

The Commission has received a copy of the message sent by the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)
bishops to several interlocutors and international organisations.

Since the crisis began, the Commission has closely and anxiously monitored the situation in the Great
Lakes region where the DRC is currently the focus of attention owing to the war that has been going on
there for two years now.

Wherever possible, given the security and access problems, the Commission has in recent years undertaken
humanitarian and rehabilitation operations to help needy Congolese. ECHO alone has committed
€50 million over the period 1998-2000. The rehabilitation programmes under way, notably in health,
food security and transport, represent financial commitments of €130 million by the European Develop-
ment Fund (EDF) over the last five years. Significant amounts (around €10 million) have also been
committed or await decision from the appropriate budget headings.

The EU(cid:146)s Great Lakes envoy, Mr Aldo Ajello, has been criss-crossing the region to facilitate the search for a
solution to the conflict and the Commission is also supporting action to that end. The Lusaka accords are
the only route to peace and the ensuing measures such as those undertaken by the Joint Military
Commission and the appointment of a mediator for the Congolese dialogue have received EU financial
support via the EDF and the CFSP budget heading. The relevant financial commitments decided or awaiting
approval amount to some € 6 million.

13.3.2001

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Official Journal of the European Communities

C 81 E/159

Specific projects on human rights are currently being examined with a view to financing a programme in
the DRC. Programmes aimed at rehabilitating the judiciary and strengthening legal security and public
awareness are also planned. These come on top of schemes under way or in the pipeline on humanitarian
aid and rehabilitation in the fields of health, urban renewal, water, transport and food security through
local production.

These programmes are of course complementary and have been drawn up in conjunction with other
donors, notably the Member States. On 22 May 2000 the Council asked the Commission to examine the
scope for gradually resuming cooperation in areas geared to reconciliation and establishing the rule of law.

The Commission has no mechanism for grants in Africa aside from special initiatives forming part of the
national indicative programme (NIP) adopted for each signatory of the Convention between the Commun-
ity and the ACP countries. In the DRC(cid:146)s case the political situation has prevented the signing of an NIP and
grants are available only for regional programmes such as Comstat for training in statistics. There are
training courses relating to rehabilitation in the field concerned.

For the time being the situation in the DRC means that it is not eligible for the debt reduction initiative
(for HIPCs) and no other measures of this kind are planned.

(2001/C 81 E/202)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2141/00

by Glyn Ford (PSE) to the Commission

(30 June 2000)

Subject: IDEA and JHA

Has the Commission considered the application of IDEA technologies to Justice and Home Affairs?

Answer given by Mr Vitorino on behalf of the Commission

(19 September 2000)

Electronic identification of animals (IDEA) technologies are used as an electronic tagging system for the
registration and tracing of Community livestock. A feasibility assessment is currently being conducted on
IDEA by Isis in Joint Research Centre in Ispra and will end in 2002. If these trials are successful, the
Commission may consider the possibility of using IDEA technologies in the fight against fraud.

The Commission has not considered applying IDEA technologies to the field of Justice and Home Affairs.

(2001/C 81 E/203)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2145/00

by Glyn Ford (PSE) to the Commission

(30 June 2000)

Subject: No-renewal contracts at the JRC

How many three-year no-renewal contracts have been awarded at the JRC?

How many former holders of such contracts continue to work at the JRC and on what basis?