WRITTEN QUESTION E-1343/01 by Fernando Fernández Martín (PPE-DE) to the Commission. World conference against racism, discrimination and xenophobia.
Date: 2001-05-04
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: European social policy, international conference, racial discrimination, racism, xenophobia

C 364 E/88

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

20.12.2001

In its Declaration No 11 on the status of churches and non-confessional organisations, annexed to the
Final Act of the Amsterdam Treaty, the Union emphasises that it respects and does not prejudice the status
under national law of churches and religious associations or communities in the Member States. As the
status of ministers of religion is closely linked to the status and internal organisation of churches and
religious communities, the question as to whether or not ministers of religion have the status of employees
under national employment law is therefore also a matter to be decided at the national level.

(2001/C 364 E/094)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1343/01

by Fernando FernÆndez Mart(cid:237)n (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(4 May 2001)

Subject: World conference against racism, discrimination and xenophobia

The World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance is to be
held in Durban (South Africa) from 31 August to 7 September 2001.

What plans does the Commission have in relation to this event?

Will the Commission make any specific contribution?

Answer given by Mrs Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission

(12 July 2001)

The Commission will contribute to the debate taking place at the World Conference against Racism, Racial
Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance with a Communication (1). This Communication
summarises the measures which have already been taken at the level of the Union to combat racism, and
demonstrates what can be achieved by a group of states acting together at regional level. The Member
States and the institutions of the Union have shown their commitment to the fight against racism by co-
ordinating their policies and activities in a number of areas at European level. The Council has also
adopted binding legislation at European level to prohibit racial discrimination, which the Member States
are required to implement into their national laws. The examples of work in the Union set out in the
Communication are intended not only to contribute to debate at the World Conference, but also to inspire
efforts to combat racism at a regional level throughout the world, in the years that follow the Conference.
The World Conference will also provide an opportunity for the Union to learn from the experiences of the
rest of the world. This should help devise future strategies and measures to combat racism.

In the preparations for the World Conference, the Commission is involved in the drafting and negotiation
process of the Political Declaration and Programme of Action to be adopted by the Conference. The
Commission will lead the Community Delegation to the Conference which will include Members of the
Parliament, representatives of the European Monitoring Centre on Racism and Xenophobia and relevant
non-governmental organisations (NGOs).

The Community has also been actively involved in the preparatory process of the World Conference both
in the preparation of
the European Regional Conference (Strasbourg 11-13 October 2000) and by
participating in the other regional conferences (Americas, Africa and Asia) and has contributed € 3,6
million to the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights to support the participation of
NGOs in the preparatory process (Santiago, 5-7 December 2000; Dakar, 21-24 January 2001; Teheran,
19-21 February 2001) and the World Conference itself.

(1) COM(2001) 291 final.