WRITTEN QUESTION E-1183/01 by Concepció Ferrer (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Human rights in the context of the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement.
Date: 2001-04-19
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Tunisia, Union for the Mediterranean, freedom of expression, human rights, the EU's international role

C 340 E/192

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

4.12.2001

Answer given by Mrs Wallstr(cid:246)m on behalf of the Commission

(21 June 2001)

The Commission was not aware of the situation referred to by the Honourable Member. However, it has
checked that that the area has been proposed by Spain for inclusion in the Natura 2000 network provided
for in Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild
fauna and flora (site ES 4140011 (cid:129) (cid:145)Fuentes Carrionas (cid:129) Fuente del Cobre, montaæa palentina(cid:146)). The
area has also been classified by the Spanish authorities as a special protection area for birds under Council
Directive 79/409/EEC of 2 April 1979 on the conservation of wild birds.

The site covers an area of 78 178 hectares.

The area hosts one of the most endangered mammals in Europe, the brown bear, a priority species listed
in Annex II to Council Directive 92/43/EEC, with a population of twenty animals. It also contains 31 of
the habitat types listed in Annex I to Directive 92/43/EEC, 8 of which are priority (4030, 6212, 4020,
6220, 9580, 7130, 7220 and 6230).

The area hosts 24 of the bird species listed in Annex I to Directive 79/409/EEC. Other forest and alpine
birds are also present and are of great national and regional importance (Dendrocopus medius, Dryocopus
martius and Aquila chrysaetos). The presence of another 24 migratory species has also been noted.

In view of the above, the Commission has decided to launch an own-initiative investigation to look into
the situation referred to in the written question.

It has contacted the Spanish authorities to check that Community law is being observed in this instance.

(2001/C 340 E/221)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1183/01

by Concepci(cid:243) Ferrer (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(19 April 2001)

Subject: Human rights in the context of the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement

In January of this year the Commission President, Romano Prodi, went to Tunisia as part of a programme
of visits which also took him to Algeria and Morocco.

Whilst in Tunisia, Mr Prodi held discussions with the country(cid:146)s authorities on topics such as emigration,
human rights, the conflict in the Middle East and the situation in the Arab Maghreb Union.

Human rights in Tunisia are constantly being violated and during his visit, Mr Prodi had a meeting with
the recently banned Tunisian League for the Protection of Human Rights. In the light of the above, could
the Commission say what cooperation initiatives are being undertaken in Tunisia in connection with the
Euro-Mediterranean Agreement?

Reply given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(28 May 2001)

The Commission has always been concerned for human rights and civil
principle, we consider any decision to restrict such freedoms to be regrettable.

liberties. As a result, and on

The EU(cid:146)s partnership with Tunisia takes the form of a process of gradual integration. In this context, the
Commission initially decided to give priority to the two positive instruments provided for by the
Barcelona Declaration and the EU-Tunisia Association Agreement -- namely, political dialogue and funding
programmes to promote human rights and civil liberties. Our aim is to see a lasting improvement in the
field of human rights and freedom of expression.

4.12.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 340 E/193

More specifically, projects to support the media and strengthen civil society figure in the Commission(cid:146)s
2001 cooperation programme with Tunisia. Since the Association Agreement entered into force, we have
also decided to make exhaustive use of all possibilities for dialogue at every level. We will therefore
continue to intensify our political dialogue, and through it we will also address particular cases which may
concern both sides.

The Commission believes that Tunisia has made considerable progress in terms of both economic health
and social stability, and so ought to be ready to make a start on ambitious reforms in the field of civil
liberties and political pluralism. It should also be ready to adopt practical affirmative measures, through
which its ties with the Union may be strengthened, as it wishes. Indeed, it is impossible for any society to
achieve its full potential without involving its citizens fully in the decision-making process.

(2001/C 340 E/222)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1187/01

by Juan Naranjo Escobar (PPE-DE) to the Commission

Subject: Work-related accidents in the European Union

(19 April 2001)

A recent study by Eurostat into the situation of workers in the EU reveals that, in 1998, 4,7 million work-
related accidents occurred in the EU, of which (again according to the report) 5 476 out of every 100 000
were fatal.

Age plays an important role in the accident rate: the average number of accidents amongst workers
between the ages of 18 and 24 is 5725, although this figure falls by almost half in the case of workers
between the ages of 45 and 54.

All of these figures vary according to type of work: the highest rate was recorded in the construction
industry, where 8 008 accidents (including 13 fatal ones) occurred for every 100 000 workers. Sex is
a further risk factor: for every 100 000 workers a total of 5 292 fatal accidents occurred involving men,
but in the case of women the figure was only 1 890.

In addition to their effects on individuals, accidents at work carry a high socio-economic cost, since it is
calculated that, in 1998, such accidents caused the loss in the EU of approximately 149 working hours per
worker.

In view of the above figures, is the Commission intending to do anything to encourage the governments of
the Member States to adopt more stringent measures which may help to cut the rate of accidents at work?
If so, is there any EU initiative which is designed to promote working attitudes and practices which may
lead to greater safety at work?

Answer given by Mrs Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission

(21 June 2001)

The Commission fully shares the Honourable Member(cid:146)s concern about the work-related accident situation
in the Community.

Nevertheless, these 1988 (1) data (cid:129) the most recent available (cid:129) show an improvement at European level in
both the rate of work accidents with more then three days(cid:146) absence (4 089 per 100 000 employed persons
in 1998, compared with 4 229 in 1996 and 4 539 in 1994) and the rate of fatal work accidents (5,0 per
100 000 employed persons in 1998 compared with 5,3 in 1996 and 6,1 in 1994). These figures include
traffic accidents and accidents on board all means of transport during work.

These statistical indicators show that the application at European level of Community legislation on safety
and health protection for workers at work has had a positive effect in terms of improving working
conditions by reducing accident rates. In other words, the legislation, when correctly applied, improves the
health and safety of workers at work.