WRITTEN QUESTION E-0659/02 by Graham Watson (ELDR) to the Commission. Cooperation agreement with Pakistan.
Date: 2002-03-08
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Pakistan, anti-discriminatory measure, children's rights, cooperation agreement, human rights, secularity

17.4.2003

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 92 E/17

The Commission participated last year in the Development Assistance Committee (DAC) working group on
gender and actively profited from the possibilities it offers for networking.

The Commission interacts regularly with Brussels based civil society groups dealing with trade and gender
and gender policy development.

The Commission is aware of the need to allocate adequate human resources in terms of quantity, capacity
and continuity to achieve timely and effective implementation of the Programme of Action. One measure,
that
is building internal capacity and establish tools and methods for
mainstreaming of gender equality in the six priority areas of the Community Development Policy.

is already decided upon,

(1) OJ L 354, 30.12.1998.

(2003/C 92 E/019)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0659/02

by Graham Watson (ELDR) to the Commission

(8 March 2002)

Subject: Cooperation agreement with Pakistan

Will the Commission ensure that the following five points are included in its cooperation agreement with
Pakistan? If not, why not?

To repeal the blasphemy laws and any laws which discriminate against others on the grounds of

1.
their religion.

For the Government of Pakistan to support minority rights, end the persecution of religious

2.
minorities such as Christians and ensure that there is religious freedom.

For Pakistan to become a secular state (this would contribute to the improvement of the situation for

3.
non-Muslims in Pakistan such as Christians and Hindus).

4.
For the Government of Pakistan to curb the power and influence of the Madrasas (cid:1) i.e. the Islamic
religious schools which have been a breeding ground for Muslim militancy in Pakistan, and of which
several have also been supportive of the Taliban in Afghanistan.

5.
For the Government of Pakistan to reaffirm its commitment to the International Convention on the
Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination; the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of
Discrimination Against Women and the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(24 April 2002)

As the Community/Pakistan (EC/PAK) co-operation Agreement is already signed, the text of the Agreement
cannot be changed at this stage. However, the entry into force of this Agreement, offers the possibility to
re-establish the full co-operation dialogue with Pakistan, including on sensitive human rights issues. The
new Agreement contains a clause (Article 1) in which both sides affirm that respect for human rights and
democratic principles constitutes an essential element of this Agreement.

On the points raised in the Honourable Member’s written question, the Commission would like to
comment as follows:

1. The Commission remains concerned about the application of the blasphemy law, as a dispropor-
tionate number of cases have been brought against religious minorities. The blasphemy law has been
raised by the Union with the authorities on a number of occasions. At a human rights conference

C 92 E/18

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

17.4.2003

organised by the Government of Pakistan in April 2000, a procedural reform of the blasphemy law
was announced. However,
following protests from religious groups the government decided to
withdraw the proposal.

2. While there are still problems with regard to the equal treatment of minorities in Pakistan, the recent
the October 2002 National Assembly elections
abolition of separate electorates in advance of
represents a positive step, ending a discriminatory practice and addressing a fundamental human
rights concern.

3. Whether or not Pakistan should become a secular state may not be for the Union to decide, but
President Musharraf’s vision of Pakistan as a ‘progressive Islamic state’ (as opposed to a theocratic
state) as expressed during his 12 January 2002 speech has been appreciated by the international
community.

4. On the Madrasas (religious schools) President Musharraf announced in his 12 January 2002 speech
that these will have to be registered by the end of March 2002, and that no new Madrasas are to open
without government permission.

5.

Pakistan has ratified the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Racial Discrimination (CERD)
in September 1966, the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) in November 1990 and the
Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) in March
1996. Some positive steps were taken by the current administration, in particular the promulgation of
a Juvenile Justice System Ordinance protecting children’s rights and the establishing of a National
Commission on the Status of Women. The government has further formulated an action plan and
policy to eradicate the worst forms of child labour.

Finally, it must be underlined that the Commission is actively participating in joint Union efforts to address
human rights issues in Pakistan as part of
the Common Foreign and Security Policy. Within this
framework the Commission will continue to address issues of concern. In this connection, Pakistan has
been included as a ‘focus country’ under the European Initiative for Democracy and Human Rights,
offering enhanced possibilities for cooperation in this area.

(2003/C 92 E/020)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0660/02

by Concepció Ferrer (PPE-DE) to the Commission

Subject: Including ‘social integration’ in the globalisation process

(8 March 2002)

Following the Doha ministerial meeting, the Council reaffirmed the Union’s commitment to keeping secure
the inclusion of ‘social integration’ within the globalisation process, calling on the Commission to continue
and step up its efforts to convince the WTO to ensure that globalisation contributes not only to trade and
prosperity, but also to global social development and respect for fundamental rights.

What action does the Commission intend to take to establish dialogue between the WTO and the ILO?

Answer given by Mr Lamy on behalf of the Commission

(30 April 2002)

The promotion of core labour standards and social development in the context of globalisation is a priority
for the Commission, as was evidenced by its communication ‘Promoting core labour standards and
improving social governance in the context of globalisation’ (1). In this communication, the Commission
presented a comprehensive strategy to promote core labour standards, suggesting action at European and
international levels, by public and private actors alike, and in all relevant policies: social, external relations,
development and trade. The strengthening of social global governance was a central objective of this