WRITTEN QUESTION E-3772/00 by Patricia McKenna (Verts/ALE) to the Commission. Law reform in Russia.
Date: 2000-12-04
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Russia, amendment of a law, human rights, law relating to prisons, rule of law, technical cooperation

6.6.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 163 E/211

(2001/C 163 E/246)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3772/00

by Patricia McKenna (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(4 December 2000)

Subject: Law reform in Russia

Recent reports show that approximately 99,6 % of people brought before the courts in Russia are found
guilty and that half of the 0,4 % not guilty verdicts are reversed on appeal.

Given this statistic and the crisis facing the Russian prison system, can the Commission explain what it
intends to do to promote law reform in Russia?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(9 January 2001)

The establishment of the rule of law is a priority in the dialogue the Commission(cid:146)s dialogue with the
Russian Federation. Consolidation of democracy and the rule of
law are key features of both the
partnership and cooperation agreement and the EU(cid:146)s common strategy on Russia. The Commission is
supporting the training of Russian judges under the European initiative for human rights and democracy,
particularly in the framework of the joint programmes with the Council of Europe.

More widely, on reform of the judicial system, discussions are under way with the Russian authorities to
develop a large project next year under the technical assistance programme Tacis. In the meantime, the
Tacis Core programme 2000, agreed in June 2000, will promote the role of non-government organisations
(NGOs) and their interactions with courts, on issues such as protection of individual and minority rights,
and media freedom. Moreover, under the Tacis policy advice programme, support is to be provided to the
human rights ombudsman Institution, as well as for the development of non-custodial measures in Russia.

(2001/C 163 E/247)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3776/00

by Rosa MiguØlez Ramos (PSE) to the Commission

(4 December 2000)

Subject: Noise levels of motor vehicles

Directives 70/157/EEC (1), 78/1015/EEC (2) and 97/24/EEC (3) set a series of noise limits that type-approved
motor vehicles must not exceed. These fixed levels are based on use of the (cid:145)dynamic(cid:146) testing method, which
is carried out when the vehicle is in motion. The use of this method makes it difficult for the bodies
responsible for monitoring the noise levels of vehicles, (in Spain the local police and centres for the
including asphalt, an area
technical
without reflective surfaces (buildings), enough space to enable the vehicle to be driven at considerable
speed, etc. Practically all of the bodies responsible for monitoring vehicle noise levels lack these facilities.

inspection of vehicles), since very specific facilities are required,

the directives mentioned above also refer to an alternative way of measuring noise,

the
However,
stationary method, which is carried out when the vehicle is not moving. This is a much simpler and
more practical method (it can be carried out on the spot) and, under the right conditions, can be carried
out by any person with the necessary equipment. The difficulty lies in that for this method, the texts do
not state the maximum limits, although they do state that the levels set out in vehicles(cid:146) type-approval
documents must not be exceeded.