WRITTEN QUESTION P-0524/02 by Graham Watson (ELDR) to the Commission. The elections in Zambia.
Date: 2002-02-19
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Zambia, presidential election

C 52 E/8

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

6.3.2003

(2003/C 52 E/008)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0524/02

by Graham Watson (ELDR) to the Commission

(19 February 2002)

Subject: The elections in Zambia

Does the Commission consider the recently-held elections in Zambia were carried out in a free and fair
manner?

If not, will it be applying pressure for a re-run of these elections to be held?

Answer given by Mr Nielson on behalf of the Commission

(21 March 2002)

An assessment of Zambia’s recent elections is available in the form of a Final Statement issued on
5 February 2002, by the Union’s Chief Observer, Mr Michael Meadowcroft, and can be found on the
following website: www.eueu-zambia.org.

The Commission takes note of this statement and shares the concerns raised.

It is now for Zambian authorities to restore the full confidence of the electorate by promptly addressing all
the election complaints, and by publishing detailed results by polling station.

law
fundamental
for human rights,
The Commission recalls that respect
constitute essential elements of the Cotonou Agreement.
In accordance with the framework of the
Cotonou Agreement the situation in Zambia will be followed closely, and in particular the follow-up to the
elections on 27 December 2001.

freedoms and the rule of

A court case regarding the official outcome of the presidential elections is expected to begin in Zambia
before the end of this month. President Mwanawasa has publicly declared that he will abide by the court
ruling.

its
The Commission welcomes the fact
democratic system, and pledges support for the peaceful consolidation of Zambia’s emerging democracy.

that Zambia sought co-operation for the consolidation of

(2003/C 52 E/009)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0538/02

by Stavros Xarchakos (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(27 February 2002)

Subject: Persecution of Greek-speakers in Turkey

The Turkish press reports that a book by the Turkish author Omer Asan entitled ‘The Civilisation of the
Pontos’ has been seized by the Turkish authorities and the author put on trial. The author, who was
awarded the Ipekci Prize two years ago, gives an account of the language, the culinary traditions and
anecdotes of the 300 Greek-speaking villages of the Pontos. The Turkish police have already seized
thousands of copies of Mr Asan’s book.

There is great apprehension in these villages, which are the remains of the once flourishing Greek
civilisation of the Black Sea region, which was almost completely eradicated after 1922, while those who
stayed (such as the author) belong to the so-called ‘crypto-Christians’ who were compelled to pretend that
they had converted to Islam in order to escape persecution by the Turkish authorities.

What is the Commission’s reaction to this new wave of persecution? How is the seizure of a book by an
award-winning Turkish author compatible with the protection of freedom of expression guaranteed in the
Member States of the Union? In which instances over the last two years has the Commission raised the
question of the repression of freedom of expression in Turkey? In which instances did Turkey remedy the