WRITTEN QUESTION E-1110/02 by Christos Zacharakis (PPE-DE)and Konstantinos Hatzidakis (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Protection of human rights in Algeria.
Date: 2002-04-18
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Algeria, Association Council (EU), EU relations, association agreement (EU), human rights

C 309 E/86

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

12.12.2002

(2002/C 309 E/099)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1110/02

by Christos Zacharakis (PPE-DE)
and Konstantinos Hatzidakis (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(18 April 2002)

Subject: Protection of human rights in Algeria

In the light of the flagrant violations of human rights which have occurred in Algeria and of the new
framework for cooperation between the EU and the Mediterranean countries which, in accordance with
the Union’s decision, must be based on the principles of human rights, how will the Commission ensure
that the human rights situation in Algeria is taken up as a specific topic for discussion at all meetings held
in the context of the EU-Algeria Association Council, in application of the Euro-Mediterranean cooperation
process (Barcelona process)?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(27 May 2002)

the Association Agreement signed on 22 April

Article 2 of
for the
democratic principles and fundamental human rights established by the Universal Declaration of Human
Rights shall inspire the domestic and international policies of the Parties and shall constitute an essential
element’ of the Agreement.

in Valencia states that

‘respect

The manner in which this commitment is respected by the parties will be examined as part of the political
dialogue between them once the Agreement enters into force. This dialogue will take place at various
levels: at ministerial level, principally within the Association Council, at the level of senior officials within
the Association Committee, and through diplomatic and other channels. The Commission will make full
use of these arrangements to further the objectives set out in Article 2 of the Agreement.

Pending entry into force of the Agreement, a regular political dialogue is taking place on an ad hoc basis
between the EU troika and the Algerian Government. The issue of human rights is systematically discussed
at these meetings and will be raised at the upcoming political dialogue meeting in Algiers.

The Commission will also be carrying out activities in Algeria to promote human rights.

In December 2001 the Commission adopted a ‘programming paper 2002-2004’ under the ‘European
Initiative for Democracy and Human Rights’ which covers all third countries,
including those in the
Mediterranean. Algeria is among the 29 ‘focus’ countries. The main beneficiaries of this initiative are NGOs
and international organisations. The schemes to be funded in Algeria are currently at the programming
stage.

Finally, under the MEDA programme, of which Algeria is one of the beneficiaries, cooperation is planned
on the rule of law and good governance, notably the reform of the justice system.

(2002/C 309 E/100)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-1118/02

by André Brie (GUE/NGL) to the Council

(11 April 2002)

Subject: Reaction to a statement by the British Defence Secretary, Mr Geoff Hoon, about Britain’s policy

towards Iraq and the potential use of nuclear weapons

I should like to draw the Council’s attention to a statement made recently by the British Defence Secretary,
Mr Geoff Hoon, (see the Financial Times of 25 March 2002), where he maintained that Britain would be
perfectly entitled to use force without a United Nations mandate, including the use of nuclear weapons in
extreme circumstances, if Saddam Hussein were perceived as a threat.