WRITTEN QUESTION E-0970/02 by Glyn Ford (PSE) to the Commission. Disability rights.
Date: 2002-04-10
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Asia, Latin America, cooperation policy, integration of people with disabilities, poverty

12.12.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 309 E/65

Reply

(3 October 2002)

It has not yet been possible to adopt the Council framework decision on the sexual exploitation of children
and child pornography because the Council has at the present time not managed to reach agreement.

(2002/C 309 E/075)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0969/02

by Glyn Ford (PSE) to the Commission

(10 April 2002)

Subject: Disability rights

Preparations are currently under way for a new proposal for an EU regulation on cooperation aid to Asia
and Latin America. Will the European Commission give specific reference to the rights of disabled people
in this proposal?

(2002/C 309 E/076)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0970/02

by Glyn Ford (PSE) to the Commission

(10 April 2002)

Subject: Disability rights

The Commission recently produced a communication: Europe and Asia: A Strategic Framework for
Enhanced Partnerships (1). Among the objectives of this framework are: addressing the root causes of
poverty and the spreading of democracy, good governance and the rule of law.

Whilst the World Bank estimates that disabled people account for 20 % of the world’s poorest, there is no
mention of disability in this document. How does the Commission plan to ensure that disabled people’s
rights are addressed in implementation of this framework?

(1) COM(2001) 469 final.

Joint answer
to Written Questions E-0969/02 and E-0970/02
given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(21 May 2002)

This proposal for a new regulation on co-operation with Asian and Latin American countries does not
intend to provide political or strategic orientations. Rather it provides the rules and procedures necessary
to programme and decide effectively on co-operation between the Community and partner countries.

The objectives of co-operation are therefore defined in a very broad way, to make it possible to intervene
in all areas of co-operation, which are envisaged in the agreements between the Community and the
beneficiary countries and under the policy and co-operation guidelines which are adopted in the
appropriate fora.

Accordingly, the proposal which the Commission is preparing does not include specific reference to the
rights of disabled people, though these are contained in the human right and fundamental freedom article
on which the proposal is based. Yet, as human rights are progressively mainstreamed into development
co-operation,
like the rights of disabled, will feature more
regularly and comprehensively in Community-supported actions.

it is anticipated that cross-cutting issues,

C 309 E/66

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

12.12.2002

The Communication from the Commission (cid:1) Europe and Asia: a strategic framework for enhanced
partnerships (1), while making no explicit reference to disabled people, makes clear that poverty reduction
is one of the key aims of co-operation.

It aims to achieve this by supporting sector programmes in social areas; strengthening dialogue on policy
issues and sharing Europe’s own experience. It makes the respect of human rights a central objective of
Community action in line with the Commission Communication ‘The European Union’s role in promoting
human rights and democratisation in third countries’ (2).

It is in the context of the dialogue with partner countries and in the programming of its assistance that the
Commission will ensure that human rights, and disabled people’s rights amongst
them, will be
appropriately addressed.

(1) COM(2001) 469 final.
(2) COM(2001) 252 fnal.

(2002/C 309 E/077)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0974/02

by Brian Crowley (UEN) to the Commission

(3 April 2002)

Subject: Crisis in Madagascar

On 22 November 2001 a declaration was issued by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union
concerning Madagascar’s presidential elections. The Presidency stated that it was keeping an interested and
careful watch on the preparation and organisation of the presidential elections of 16 December 2001. It
also welcomed the Malagasy authorities’ commitment to ensuring that the elections would be held in
accordance with democratic procedures.

Will the Commission now provide its up-to-date assessment of the situation in Madagascar following the
elections, taking into account the above declaration and the Common Position of 25 May 1998 which
underlined the EU’s insistence on the need to observe human rights, democratic principles, the rule of law
and good governance in Africa?

Will it furthermore make a statement on the issue of alleged corruption in this country and the operation
of the tax-free zone as an area for ‘cheap labour’?

Finally, will the Commission outline what EU actions and new initiatives are being taken and can be taken
in the future to ensure the development of a strong democracy and economy in Madagascar?

Answer given by Mr Nielson on behalf of the Commission

(7 May 2002)

The Commission is monitoring developments in Madagascar closely. It deplores the violence that has
occurred in the aftermath of the December 2001 presidential elections. It supports the mediation efforts of
the Organisation of African Unity and the United Nations, and has issued declarations encouraging the
parties involved to enter into a democratic dialogue and to demonstrate moderation.

local non-
The Commission is aware of discrepancies in the electoral process: a consortium of
governmental organisations (NGOs) and church representatives observed the elections, but the results
made known by the consortium were only partial, and were at odds with official data.

Under the present circumstances, the EU has welcomed, in its declaration of 22 April, the agreement
signed by the two candidates in Dakar on 18 April.

The two candidates agreed to a transitional reconciliation government and to a referendum,
to be
organised within six months with the help of the UN, the OUA, the European Union and the international
community, if no clear winner emerges from a recount of votes cast in December presidential poll.