WRITTEN QUESTION E-2613/01 by Lousewies van der Laan (ELDR)and Bob van den Bos (ELDR) to the Commission. Arrest of 52 homosexuals in Egypt — consequences for the EuroMed Agreement.
Date: 2001-09-27
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU relations, Egypt, LGBTIQ persons, arrest, association agreement, discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation

4.7.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 160 E/27

(2002/C 160 E/027)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2613/01

by Lousewies van der Laan (ELDR)
and Bob van den Bos (ELDR) to the Commission

(27 September 2001)

Subject: Arrest of 52 homosexuals in Egypt (cid:30) consequences for the EuroMed Agreement

On 11 May 2001, Egyptian police officers raided the Queen Boat in Cairo. 52 men were arrested on
charges of ‘practising immorality’ and ‘offending religion’. The men have had their names, photographs and
addresses published in Cairo newspapers. Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have expressed
‘grave concern’ that the detainees have been tortured in detention and will not have any right of appeal.

It is generally believed that the 52 men have been arrested solely because of their sexual orientation and
for using the freedom of assembly guaranteed to them in various treaties ratified by Egypt.

1. Which treaties ratified by Egypt does the Commission consider violated by this trial?

2. What action has the Commission undertaken and does it plan to undertake in the near future to
ensure the release of the 52 men?

3.
On 25 June 2001, the Commission signed the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement between the EC and
the Arab Republic of Egypt. At that moment, the above incident was known about. a) Were the arrests
discussed in the negotiations on the Agreement? If so, what is the reason that the treaty was signed
without any guarantees from the Egyptian authorities on the fate of these 52 men? If not, why not? b)
Have any of the Member States indicated they will not ratify this treaty until all 52 men are released? If a
Member State chooses not to ratify what will be the consequences?

4.
According to the Commission’s own information, the EU is the most important trading partner of
Egypt. Moreover, Egypt is a major beneficiary of EU financial co-operation. What other consequences will
the trial have for EU-Egyptian relations, especially for the amount and distribution of MEDA financing?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(14 November 2001)

The 52 gay men arrested on the Queen Boat are being charged in Egypt with immoral behaviour, and in
one case also of exploiting religion. Their cases (with one exception) are being heard under State Security
legislation with limited rights of appeal. Their cases have yet to be concluded, although one young
defendant being tried in the juvenile courts has already been sentenced to three years in prison.

The trials have of course yet to be concluded, but the prosecutor has refuted claims that the cases
challenge human rights or freedom of the assembly. However, several defendants have made allegations of
serious maltreatment in prison and the early media coverage, which included publishing the pictures and
addresses of those accused, also raised serious legal questions. The defence team have taken these up in
court.

The Commission Delegation and the Embassies of the Member States are closely following events and have
sent observers to the trial sessions. The Commission has raised the arrests, and our concern at their
potential implications, at the highest level. The Egyptian government is well aware that the Commission
and the Member States will not hesitate to follow this through.

The initialling of the Association Agreement text between the Union and Egypt (which formally concluded
the negotiations) took place in January 2001, well before the arrest of the 52 gay men. The Commission
was aware of the arrests when the Agreement was signed by the Member of the Commission responsible

C 160 E/28

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

4.7.2002

for External Relations and the Presidency in June 2001. Respect of human and civil rights constitutes an
essential element of the agreement. It was made clear at the time that the Commission expected this and
other cases to be resolved in the best traditions of the Egyptian legal system.

It is the Commission’s view that the new Association Agreement with Egypt will significantly bolster these
causes by providing a new framework within which they can be discussed and promoted.

(2002/C 160 E/028)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2641/01

by Anna Karamanou (PSE) to the Commission

(28 September 2001)

Subject: Arrest of eight foreign nationals by the Taliban in Afghanistan

Since 5 August, the Taliban Islamic fundamentalist regime has held eight foreign nationals (four German,
two Australian and two American) and 16 Afghans working for the NGO, Shelter Now International, in
custody charged with attempting to convert Muslims to Christianity. At the same time, hundreds of
humanitarian aid workers are helping many thousands of Afghan civilians to survive the civil war. Under
Islamic law, the sharia, the accused may face the death sentence.

What measures and diplomatic initiatives will the Commission take to compel the Islamic regime to
guarantee the safety of the foreign nationals in its custody and respect their human rights, and what steps
will it take to exert pressure on the unlawful government of Afghanistan to comply with international law
and respect religious freedom, the right of freedom of expression and free will?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(24 October 2001)

The three governments directly concerned with regard to the trial of the eight foreign aid workers
currently ongoing in Kabul have indicated to the international community that, at this stage, they prefer to
deal with the matter on a bilateral basis.

The Commission fully respects this position. It stands ready with other partners in the Union to make
appropriate interventions should the German, Australian or American governments so request.

The Honourable Member will be aware that on matters such as relations with the current regime in Kabul,
the Commission acts in collaboration with the Member States. In this regard, it has adopted a Common
Position on Afghanistan (2001/56/CFSP) on 22 January 2001 (1), which lists amongst the objectives of the
Union in Afghanistan the promotion of ‘respect for international humanitarian law and human rights,
including rights of women and children’.

Through the Common Position, the Union has imposed an arms embargo on the whole of Afghanistan
and enforces the sanctions against the Taliban regime set out in the United Nations (UN) Security Council
Resolutions 1267 and 1333.

(1) OJ L 21, 23.1.2001.