WRITTEN QUESTION E-0660/02 by Concepció Ferrer (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Including social integration in the globalisation process.
Date: 2002-03-08
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: International Labour Organisation, World Trade Organisation, economic development, globalisation, labour standard, social development, social policy, socioeconomic conditions

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

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Official Journal of the European Union

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communication, and increased co-operation and dialogue between the World Trade Organisation (WTO)
and the International Labour Organisation (ILO), is one important means of improving governance. In
view of the strong development component of the social dimension of globalisation, the Commission
suggests involving relevant development organisations in such strengthened co-operation, including United
Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), the World Bank and International Monetary
Fund (IMF).

While the Doha outcome was relatively modest as regards core labour standards, it does provide a good
basis for further progress, by confirming the commitment to core labour standards and the need for co-
operation between WTO and ILO. The Commission is following up on this commitment in its direct
contacts with the two organisations by urging closer co-operation and in the institutional context,
including by its call that the newly established ILO World Commission on the Social Dimension of
Globalisation involve and draw upon the experience of other organisations. Following the efforts of the
Commission, the WTO has in fact taken interest in and contributed to the ILO Working Party on the
Social Dimension of Globalisation by the WTO Secretariat contribution on trade liberalisation and
employment, which was discussed on 18 and 19 March 2002. The Commission intends to continue its
efforts in this field to strengthen the ties between the WTO and the ILO to help promote core labour
standards and decent work in the context of globalisation.

(1) COM(2001) 416 final.

(2003/C 92 E/021)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0664/02

by Feleknas Uca (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(8 March 2002)

Subject: Cultural and linguistic rights of minorities in EU candidate countries

The integration of ethnic and religious minorities into society is a requirement for democratic stability.
Certain EU candidate countries are still a long way from reaching this goal, for example Turkey, which
grants ethnic and religious minorities no rights.

The Council of Europe’s Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities is designed to
establish the individual rights of those belonging to minority groups. Which EU candidate countries have
ratified and implemented this framework convention?

How does the Commission view the situation of ethnic and religious minorities in the EU candidate
countries?

Are the cultural rights of minorities guaranteed in the EU candidate countries? Do their educational
systems respect the right to education in one’s mother tongue?

Will the implementation of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities and the
European Charter for Regional and Minority Languages serve as a point of reference for the accession
negotiations?

Answer given by Mr Verheugen on behalf of the Commission

(30 April 2002)

The political Copenhagen criteria include the ‘… respect
for and protection of minorities.’ The
Luxembourg European Council (12 and 13 December 1997) recalled that compliance with the political
criteria laid down in Copenhagen (21 and 22 June 1993) is a prerequisite for the opening of accession
negotiations.