WRITTEN QUESTION E-2338/01 by Graham Watson (ELDR) to the Council. Restrictions on freedom of religion.
Date: 2001-08-03
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU Charter of Fundamental Rights, France, church-State relations, freedom of religious beliefs, religious discrimination

C 81 E/154

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

4.4.2002

Reply

(29 November 2001)

The Council would remind the Honourable Member that in accordance with Article 283 of the Treaty
establishing the European Community, the Staff Regulations of officials of the European Communities and
the Conditions of Employment of other servants of those Communities are laid down by the Council,
acting by a qualified majority on a proposal from the Commission and after consulting the other
institutions concerned. The emoluments and social security benefits of officials are set out under Title V of
the Staff Regulations.

On 29 June 2001 the Permanent Representatives Committee adopted a report (1) on the Commission
reform drawn up by the Working Party on the Staff Regulations. Inter alia, it emerges from this report
that:

The Working Party welcomes the Commission(cid:146)s wish to review the application of economic parities to
pensions, as well as its exploration of other savings to the scheme: changes in the invalidity scheme,
survivor(cid:146)s pensions, pension rights bonus, system of (cid:145)weightings for pensions(cid:146).

The Council will continue to study this issue in the framework of the major reform of human resources
policy and in particular on the basis of official proposals to be submitted by the Commission.

(1) 9954/01 STAT 29 FIN 187 + ADD 1.

(2002/C 81 E/180)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2338/01

by Graham Watson (ELDR) to the Council

(3 August 2001)

Subject: Restrictions on freedom of religion

Given that choice of religion is a fundamental freedom and therefore a basic human right enshrined in the
EU Charter of Fundamental Rights, does the Council believe that the law adopted by France regarding
restrictions on freedom of religion (adopted text No 676, 30 May 2001) is in breach of the Charter?

Reply

(6 December 2001)

The Council would draw the attention of the Honourable Member to declaration No 11, annexed to the
Treaty of Amsterdam, on the status of churches and non-confessional organisations in which the European
Union states that it respects and does not prejudice the status under national law of churches and religious
associations or communities in the Member States. In the same declaration it adds that it equally respects
the status of philosophical and non-confessional organisations.

The Council is not aware of the specific case raised by the Honourable Member.

Moreover it would remind the Honourable Member that, apart from cases referred to it in the context of
Article 7 of the Treaty on European Union, it is not for the Council to comment on Member States(cid:146) respect
for fundamental rights and freedoms.

(2002/C 81 E/181)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2339/01

by Pat Gallagher (UEN) to the Council

(3 August 2001)

Subject: Council of Europe Charter for Minority and Regional Languages

Does the Council share the view that more than forty regional and minority languages spoken across
Europe form a crucial part of Europe(cid:146)s cultural heritage and, as such, need to be protected and promoted?