WRITTEN QUESTION E-2563/00 by Konstantinos Hatzidakis (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Arrest of three Turkish Cypriot journalists.
Date: 2000-08-01
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Cyprus, Türkiye, arrest, communications profession, freedom of expression, occupied territory

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(2001/C 113 E/123)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2557/00

by Camilo Nogueira RomÆn (Verts/ALE) to the Council

Subject: Compulsory curfew imposed by Russia in Chechnya

(31 July 2000)

The compulsory curfew which has once again been imposed by the Russian authorities in Chechnya is
proof of the fact that the terrible war in that country is not yet over. In response to this state of affairs,
what action is the European Union intending to take with a view to re-establishing the Chechen people(cid:146)s
national democratic rights which have been withdrawn by Russia?

(2001/C 113 E/124)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2634/00

by Camilo Nogueira RomÆn (Verts/ALE) to the Council

Subject: Compulsory curfew imposed by Russia in Chechnya

(1 September 2000)

The compulsory curfew which has once again been imposed by the Russian authorities in Chechnya is
proof of the fact that the terrible war in that country is not yet over. In response to this state of affairs,
what action is the European Union intending to take with a view to re-establishing the Chechen people(cid:146)s
national democratic rights which have been withdrawn by Russia?

Joint answer
to Written Questions E-2557/00 and E-2634/00

(16 November 2000)

Following the Feira European Council meeting in June 2000, the European Union undertook a review of
the overall situation in Russia. Subsequently, decisions were taken in order for the Union to assist in the
promotion of democracy, the rule of law and a market-oriented economy. Such is the basis on which a
strong and fruitful long-term relationship with Russia must stand. The Union reiterated that the develop-
ment of such a relationship with all of Russia, including Chechnya, presupposes the sharing of common
values, in particular respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms.

From the outset of the crisis in the Chechen Republic of the Russian Federation, the Council has been quite
clear that only a political solution can bring about a lasting settlement there. To this end, the Union has
been a steadfast advocate of respect for the human rights of all people in Chechnya. At the same time, the
Council attaches great importance to the principle of the territorial integrity of the Russian Federation. In
pursuit of its long-term policy of constructive engagement, the Union has consistently pressed Russia to
meet its commitments.

The Union calls on Russia to comply with the demands of the international community concerning
Chechnya. These include avoiding excessive use of force and any spillover of the conflict, pursuit of a
political process including elected Chechen representatives, effective independent investigation into human
rights abuses, cooperation with the Council of Europe, support for the OSCE Assistance Group in
implementing its full mandate and assuring the safe delivery by NGOs of humanitarian aid.

(2001/C 113 E/125)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2563/00

by Konstantinos Hatzidakis (PPE-DE) to the Commission

Subject: Arrest of three Turkish Cypriot journalists

(1 August 2000)

The authorities in occupied Northern Cyprus have arrested the editor-in-chief of the Turkish Cypriot
newspaper (cid:145)Avrupa(cid:146) ((cid:145)Europe(cid:146)), Sener Levent, along with two other senior journalists working for the same

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Official Journal of the European Communities

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newspaper on charges of (cid:145)treason(cid:146) linked to the fact that the three journalists had long been criticising the
Turkish occupying forces. Their arrest has been unanimously condemned by political circles in the
Republic of Cyprus and by the Writers(cid:146) Union in Cyprus.

What are the Commission(cid:146)s views on the above events, and does it consider that the fundamental freedom
of expression has been violated?

Will it seek explanations from Turkey and the Denktash regime with regard to the arrest of the three
Turkish Cypriot journalists?

Answer given by Mr Verheugen on behalf of the Commission

(19 September 2000)

The Honourable Member is referred to the Commission(cid:146)s answers to Written Questions P-1802/00 from
Mrs Giannakou-Koutsikou (1) and P-2670/00 from Mr Alavanos (2).

(1) OJ C 72 E, 6.3.2001, p. 121.
(2) OJ C 103 E, 3.4.2001, p. 208.

(2001/C 113 E/126)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2576/00

by Elly Plooij-van Gorsel (ELDR) to the Commission

Subject: AIDS prevention and treatment in South Africa

(25 July 2000)

South Africa has the highest incidence of AIDS in the world. According to the UN, it has the largest
absolute number of people infected with HIV. Moreover, the taboo on AIDS makes it difficult to prevent
new infections occurring and to tackle the consequences of AIDS. It is reported that instead of seeking
ways of combating the epidemic, the South African Government is looking for explanations. For this
purpose President Mbeki has set up an AIDS panel which includes a small dissident group of scientists
who do not believe that there is any link between HIV and AIDS. This week the panel decided to carry out
further research, inter alia with the aim of checking the reliability of the HIV test. American and European
scientists regard this as a major disaster.

1.
Is the Commission aware of the declaration issued by a group of 5000 scientists just before the AIDS
conference in Durban stating that the HIV virus unquestionably causes AIDS and that policies should be
based on this fact?

2.
Does the Commission agree that AIDS prevention and treatment ought to be assigned high priority
in South Africa, since if policy remains unchanged, it is likely that half of those now aged 15 will not
reach the age of 25, which will be not only a human tragedy but an economic catastrophe as well?

3.
Does the Commission agree that the economic development of South Africa will stand or fall by an
effective approach to the AIDS problem and that such an approach is therefore a precondition for the
successful provision of European development aid?

If so, then, bearing in mind that South Africa is the largest recipient of EU development aid, will the

4.
Commission bring pressure to bear on the South African Government to fulfil this precondition?

5. Will the Commission use the agreement on scientific cooperation between the Community and
South Africa to ensure that EU funding of South African research is put to good use?