WRITTEN QUESTION P-3313/00 by Gianfranco Fini (UEN) to the Commission. Agenda for the Biarritz summit and the paedophile crisis.
Date: 2000-10-18
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Internet site, area of freedom, security and justice, paedophilia

C 151 E/132

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

22.5.2001

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(16 November 2000)

A Commission review of the routes mentioned shows no evidence that these fares are excessive when
taken in relation to their corresponding costs. There does not therefore appear to be in this instance any
infringement of Council Regulation (EEC) no 2409/92 of 23 July 1992 on fares and rates for air services.

The Commission monitors the development of air fares regularly and the general trend shows signs of
decrease in the Community area as stated in the communication (cid:145)The European airline industry from single
market to world-wide challenges(cid:146) (1).

(1) COM(1999) 182 final.

(2001/C 151 E/149)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-3313/00

by Gianfranco Fini (UEN) to the Commission

(18 October 2000)

Subject: Agenda for the Biarritz summit and the paedophile crisis

The need to bring European citizens closer to the institutions makes it essential for the authorities to tackle
those problems that affect people most directly. While the public are, of course, interested in the reform of
the institutions and the future enlargement of the Union, the authorities should also focus on day-to-day
issues that are of concern to the public. The unfortunate issue of paedophilia, for example, has now
assumed worrying proportions. The discovery of paedophile and pornographic sites on the Internet, some
of which use the words (cid:145)European Union(cid:146) in their titles, should prompt the Heads of State and Government
meeting in Biarritz to take note of the spread of this problem and finally to put in place regulations
governing the use of telematics equipment.

Does the Commission not consider it necessary to draw the attention of the Heads of State or Government
to:

1. The seriousness of the constant increase in paedophile Internet sites, the contents of which contravene

the legislation of the Member States,

2. The need for regulations to prevent free access to such sites,

3. The need for regulations prohibiting such sites from using in their titles the names of persons without
their knowledge or the names of institutions (Commission, European Union, etc.) as an underhand
way of attracting users who do not normally visit such sites?

Answer given by Mr Vitorino on behalf of the Commission

(30 November 2000)

The Commission has long been concerned about the diffusion of paedophile images on the Internet, in
particular child pornography. In order to fight against it, it proposed a multiannual Community action
plan on promoting safer use of
the Internet by combating illegal and harmful content on global
networks (1). It was adopted by the Council and the Parliament on 25 January 1999 (2). The action plan
provides support in four areas: a European network of hotlines, self-regulation by industry, filtering and
rating and awareness. Furthermore Member States are also committed to provide an appropriate frame-
work under Council Recommendation 98/560/EC of 24 September 1998 on the development of the
competitiveness of the European audiovisual and information services industry by promoting national
frameworks aimed at achieving a comparable and effective level of protection of minors and human
dignity (3).

22.5.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 151 E/133

The primary responsibility for dealing with illegal content (including child pornography)
appropriate law enforcement and judicial authorities of the Member States.

is with the

The Commission attaches great importance to ensuring the Community is able to take effective action in
particular against child pornography on the Internet. It shares the view of the Honourable Member that
there is a clear need for Community action at legislative level to ensure that Member States have effective
sanctions in place to combat this serious crime. The Commission will introduce later this year a proposal
for a Council
include provisions for the
approximation of laws and sanctions of the Member States in the field of the sexual exploitation of
children, with particular reference to child pornography on the Internet.

framework decision which, within a wider context, will

Better law enforcement, exchange of information and education are needed to complement the legislative
initiatives mentioned above. The Commission, in cooperation with the Member States and other parties
involved (Internet operators, hotlines and users), constantly follows the development of any new means to
prevent
the distribution of paedophile material via the Internet, which are in conformity with the
fundamental principles of freedom of expression and right to privacy.

However, the Internet is a global instrument and does not recognise national frontiers. Measures taken
only at the European level would not prevent access via the Internet to paedophile material outside
Europe. Therefore, efficient international co-operation is needed. All the parties concerned are already
actively involved in such co-operation.

The Honourable Member(cid:146)s final question concerns one aspect of the so-called cybersquatting problem,
which also includes cases of trademark infringement. The Commission has been actively participating in
international efforts to eliminate this problem, undertaken mainly by the International Corporation for
Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) and the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO). These
have started with the trademark problem, but are currently being extended to include other categories of
names including the names of people and places. The Commission will also propose, in the context of the.
eu domain name that will become available next year, a code of conduct aiming at preventing such abuses
within the Community.

(1) OJ C 48, 13.2.1998.
(2) OJ L 33, 6.2.1999.
(3) OJ L 270, 7.10.1998.

(2001/C 151 E/150)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-3314/00

by Monica Frassoni (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(18 October 2000)

Subject: Tourism and property development along the coast of Cala Giunco-Stagno Notteri, Villasimius,

Sardinia, Italy

(code ITB000054) and (cid:145)Stagno Notteri(cid:146)

The Cala Giunco company has recently proposed a change to a plan for the sub-division of
the
municipality of Villasimius (Cagliari, Italy) for tourism and property development (hotels, private homes,
services, golf course) with a total volume of more than 81 000 m3. These measures concern a stretch of
coastline which is still undeveloped and which is included in the sites of Community importance (cid:145)Porto
Giunco(cid:146)
(code ITB000057). This stretch of coastline is also
protected by regulations on the countryside (Legislative Decree No 490/1999) and is listed as the site of
a regional nature reserve by regional law 31/1989 and was recently declared a protected marine area
within the meaning of national law 493/1991. The environmental associations (cid:145)Friends of the Earth(cid:146) and
Gruppo d(cid:146)Intervento Giuridico have drawn this case to the attention of the national and local public
authorities and the Ministry for Cultural and Environmental Assets has taken steps (decrees of 22 June and
9 August 2000) to cancel the relevant authorisations issued by the Autonomous Region of Sardinia
relating to the town planning measures and the initial executive measure on the grounds that they were
unlawful. The municipality of Villasimius has also suspended the administrative procedure for approving
the tourism-property project. Despite this, the property company has brought unfounded and intimidatory
actions for damages against the municipality of Villasimius and the environmental associations and has
already opened the building site with the intention of starting work even if it is unlawful.