WRITTEN QUESTION P-2560/00 by Elena Paciotti (PSE) to the Council. Respect for human rights in Bahrain.
Date: 2000-07-26
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Bahrain, common foreign and security policy, international human rights law

C 103 E/182

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

3.4.2001

Reply

(10 November 2000)

The Intergovernmental Conference is a temporary forum made up of the Representatives of the Govern-
ments of Member States and distinct from the Council. The European Parliament takes part in it through
the attendance of two observers. The Council does not take part in the proceedings of the IGC.

(2001/C 103 E/208)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2558/00

by Anneli HulthØn (PSE) to the Commission

(28 July 2000)

Subject: Hemp production

How much hemp is now produced in the European Union, and how much of it is used in the manufacture
of rope? Does the Commission have any information regarding the uses to which the hemp not used in
rope manufacture is put?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(3 October 2000)

The Commission has no official figures on the volume of hemp grown. The acreages declared by Member
States and indicative average yields give a figure to be treated with caution, of around 30 000 tonnes of
hemp fibre.

Strong competition from synthetic fibres means that very little hemp fibre is used to make rope. At
present most is used for making paper. A whole range of niche outlets is being researched or developed,
e.g. in the vehicle and building industries, but markets are limited for the moment.

Other parts of the plant are sold, in particular the shives (woody matter), often used as bedding for
animals, and the seed, frequently used as bird food.

(2001/C 103 E/209)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2560/00

by Elena Paciotti (PSE) to the Council

(26 July 2000)

Subject: Respect for human rights in Bahrain

The situation with regard to human rights and democracy in Bahrain is causing serious concern. Following
the introduction of the law on (cid:145)State security(cid:146) in 1974 and the subsequent dissolution of Parliament in
1975, there have been systematic violations of human rights and respect for minorities, consisting in
arrests and imprisonment without trial and numerous cases of torture, documented by many international
organisations.

The Bahraini authorities are denying international observers access to the country and refusing to provide
information and explanations to UN bodies which have requested them, despite the fact that the country is
a signatory to the Convention against torture.

3.4.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 103 E/183

In addition to adopting a number of resolutions on the subject, the European Parliament, via its Committee
on Petitions, has taken up the case of Hassan Ali Mshaima, a Bahraini citizen and English teacher, who has
been detained without any specific charges and without being brought to trial.

There are also systematic violations of social rights.

Can the Council:

(cid:129) supply detailed information about respect for human rights and for minorities in Bahrain?

(cid:129) say what the state of relations is between the EU and Bahrain in the context of cooperation with the

Gulf States?

(cid:129) say what steps the Council can take directly or in cooperation with the Member States concerned to
ask the Bahraini authorities to respect human rights and cooperate, as a matter of urgency, with
in order to ensure that they are allowed access to the
international humanitarian organisations,
country?

(cid:129) say what practical steps will be taken to make the development of any form of cooperation with

Bahrain subject to respect for the most basic human rights?

Reply

(9 November 2000)

The Council shares the view that the human rights situation in Bahrain is a cause for concern. Cases of
torture, prolonged detentions without trial and other violations of international standards for fair trial have
been reported, and fundamental democratic rights are denied.

However, there have been some positive developments in recent years. Hundreds but not all, of political
prisoners have been released, and some, but not all, visits by human rights organisations have been
allowed. Furthermore, it has been decided to set up a Consultative Council, albeit with limited powers,
which could hopefully develop over time into a fully democratic National Assembly.

The EU has no separate contractual agreement with Bahrain. Bahrain is a member of the Gulf Cooperation
Council, with which the European Union has a Cooperation Agreement (OJ L 54, 25.2.1989, p. 1). The
EU and the GCC meet once a year at ministerial level for a Joint Council; the latest such Council took
place in Brussels on 22 May 2000. At that meeting, the Parties agreed that the next Joint Council should
be held in Bahrain in 2001.

Joint Councils, which mainly

In connection with these
the
Cooperation Agreement, Ministers also discuss political issues of mutual interest, including human rights.
In this context, the EU endeavours to influence the GCC states (cid:129) including Bahrain (cid:129) to respect human
rights and cooperate with the UN and international human rights organisations. In the framework of the
Cooperation Agreement, the EU has proposed to establish a human rights dialogue at all levels with the
GCC states. No decision has yet been taken.

implementation of

review the

The EU and the GCC are currently negotiating a Free Trade Agreement. Such an Agreement, which would
include a provision on human rights, would provide another opportunity to raise these issues. The Council
considers this to be the most practical step to make human rights an important issue for the positive
development of bilateral relations.