WRITTEN QUESTION E-2338/00 by John Bowis (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Human Rights in Burma.
Date: 2000-07-11
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Myanmar/Burma, common foreign and security policy, dentist, physician, political prisoner

3.4.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 103 E/125

(2001/C 103 E/139)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2338/00

by John Bowis (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(11 July 2000)

Subject: Human Rights in Burma

Is the Commission aware of the following cases of Burmese doctors and dentists who are in prison for
human rights activities and will it pursue these cases with the Burmese authorities:

(cid:129) Dr Myint Naing (cid:129) doctor at a private clinic in Karbo (cid:129) arrested in January 1991 and sentenced in
1992 to 25 years in prison, subsequently commuted to 10 years, for attending meetings of the
National League for Democracy. Elected MP for Kanbalu May 1990. He is currently in Thayet Prison,
Magway Division.

(cid:129) Dr Zaw Min (cid:129) general practitioner (cid:129) arrested in July 1989 and sentenced in 1992 to 20 years in
for taking part in demonstrations and distributing

prison, subsequently commuted to 10 years,
pamphlets.

(cid:129) Dr Zaw Myint Maung (cid:129) doctor on staff of Mandalay Medical College (cid:129) arrested January 1991 and
sentenced to 25 years in prison, subsequently commuted to 10 years, for attending political meetings.
Elected MP for Amarapura May 1990. He is currently in Myitkina Prison.

(cid:129) Dr Ma Thida (cid:129) surgeon and writer, working at Muslim Free Hospital in Yangon (cid:129) she is a former
campaign assistant to NLD leader, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi (cid:129) arrested in July 1993 and sentenced
that October to 20 years in prison for political activities.

(cid:129) Dr Aung Khin Sint (cid:129) doctor and team leader of the tuberculosis team at Dekhina Medical Department
(cid:129) Secretary of Burma Medical Association (cid:129) arrested August 1993 for writing and distributing letters
and leaflets and sentenced to 20 years in prison. He was released in February 1995 under an amnesty,
rearrested in May 1996, then released again but rearrested in July 1996 to serve remainder of 20-year
sentence. Elected MP for Mingala Thaungnyunt May 1990.

(cid:129) U Khin Zaw Win (cid:129) dentist who has worked in Burma/Myanamar, Malaysia and Unicef (cid:129) arrested
in July 1994 and sentenced to 15 years in prison for political activities (cid:129) tortured in Insein Prison for
trying to send information about prison conditions to the United Nations. Currently in Myitkyina
Prison.

(cid:129) Dr Zaw Myint (cid:129) dentist working in various hospitals (cid:129) arrested January 1991 and sentenced to
25 years (cid:129) subsequently commuted to 10 years in 1992, for attending political meetings (cid:129) tortured
in Insein Prison. Elected MP for Hinthada May 1990. Currently in Tharawaddy Prison.

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(28 July 2000)

The Commission is aware of the seven cases of doctors and dentists in Burma mentioned by the
Honourable Member. It has been informed that two of them (cid:129) Dr Ma Thida and Dr Zaw Myint (cid:129) were
released in February 1999 and late 1998 respectively. The Commission has further been informed that a
total of at least 30 doctors and dentists are still detained.

The Union continues, in the framework of its contacts with the Burmese authorities, to press for the
immediate release of political prisoners. It will continue to do so including for those detainees mentioned
by the Honourable Member. In its common position adopted on 26 April 2000 (1), the Council indicated

C 103 E/126

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

3.4.2001

its willingness to send a second Troika mission to Rangoon later this year to promote the aims of the
Union(cid:146)s policy through the establishment of a political dialogue. Failure to engage in such a dialogue will
only mean continued isolation for Burma(cid:146)s regime, and prolong the hardship and suffering for the Burmese
people that result from its policies.

(1) Common Position 2000/346/CFSP, 26.4.2000 (OJ L 122, 24.5.2000).

(2001/C 103 E/140)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2344/00

by Jean Lambert (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(13 July 2000)

Subject: Construction of a high-voltage power line in Tenerife (Canary Islands)

The Unelco-Endesa electricity company is planning to construct a high-voltage power line exceeding 80
kms in length and rated at 220 kw overall and 900 kw at the pylon. The purpose of the power line is to
carry electricity to the huge (47 000-bed tourist complexes which are due to be built in the southern and
south-eastern parts of Tenerife, and also to complete the energy circuit. The power line will cut through
five natural areas which are protected under the relevant Canary Island law and which include wooded
areas around the mountain peaks. The natural areas affected are of vital importance from a scientific and
ecological point of view and they are home to such valuable native species as the blue chaffinch and the
greater spotted woodpecker, together with many other types of bird,
insect and animal which are
indigenous to the Canary Islands. On account of its great wealth in terms of flora, landscape and forests,
the Vilaflor pine forest is one of the most valuable ecosystems within the archipelago and the area to be
crossed by the power line is a place of major international ornithological value which in 1994 was
designated as a natural park by the Canary Islands Government itself and which in 1989 received EU
recognition as an area of special protection for birds (1). This area became part of the Nature 2000
Network in 1995, when the Directive on habitats (92/43/EEC) (2) entered into force.

The project has already been endorsed by the Canary Island Government(cid:146)s Minister for Industry and the
Tenerife Council, although it has not received the necessary approval from the Canary Island Natural Areas
Management Board. Implementation of the project would involve making 40-metre-wide fire breaks in
order to prevent fires from breaking out along the route followed by the power line and this would require
thousands of ancient resin-producing Canary Island pine trees to be cut down. Mention should also be
made of the fact that approval has not yet been granted in respect of the Canary Island Regional Planning
Scheme or the law on corridors through Tenerife, which would influence the route to be followed by the
power line.

The Government of
the Canary Islands has not allowed proper public access to the assessment
procedure (3). The assessment was favourable, although it imposes certain conditions which have not
been made possible either. During the course of the procedure, no consideration was given to alternatives
involving energy saving and efficiency or the harnessing of renewable resources.

Does the Commission consider the installation of an energy transmission infrastructure such as the one
planned in Tenerife to be compatible with the conservation of areas which are designated as places of
Community interest? Can the Commission ascertain whether or not Community rules on environmental
impact studies have been followed (4), with particular reference to public access? Can the Commission also
ascertain whether or not the Directive on air quality (80/779/EEC (5)) and Directives 79/409/EEC and 92/
together with Council Recommendation 1999/519 on electromagnetic fields (6), are being
43/EEC,
complied with?

(1) See Directive 79/409/EEC which was published in OJ L 103, 25.4.1979, p. 1.
(2) OJ L 206, 22.7.1992, p. 7.
(3) There is a ban on making photocopies of the environmental impact assessment study documents, which have not
even been made available to the Vilaflor authorities, which represent the area most affected. The residents of Vilaflor
have launched a public campaign against the power line (for information, see http://www.accionmm.com/vilaflor/)
and have submitted a petition to the European Parliament.

(4) Directives 85/37/EEC and 97/11/EC on environmental impact assessment (OJ L 175, 5.7.1985, p. 40 and OJ L 73,

14.3.1997, p. 5).

(5) OJ L 229, 30.8.1980, p. 30.
(6) OJ L 199, 30.7.1999, p. 59.