WRITTEN QUESTION E-1461/02 by Hanja Maij-Weggen (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Arrest of 10 journalists in Eritrea.
Date: 2002-05-23
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU relations, Eritrea, freedom of the press, government violence, political violence, right to justice

C 110 E/16

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

8.5.2003

Without pre-judging the final content of the programme, a common understanding was reached at the
Community-China Joint Committee in January 2002 that it should include a substantial health and plant
protection component.

Once the Commission has adopted the programme and a Financing Agreement with China has been
signed, the programme content and a regular update of implementation status will be available on the
website of
the Commission Delegation in Beijing, as the Delegation will be responsible for the
management of the programme.

(2003/C 110 E/016)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1461/02

by Hanja Maij-Weggen (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(23 May 2002)

Subject: Arrest of 10 journalists in Eritrea

Background information:

(cid:1) Yosef Mohamed Ali (m), editor in chief, Tsigenay;

(cid:1) Amanuel Asrat (m), editor in chief, Zemen;

(cid:1) Seyoum Tsehaye (m), freelance editor/photographer, former director of Eritrean state television;

(cid:1) Temesgen Gebreyesus (m), reporter, Keste Debena;

(cid:1) Mattewos Habteab (m), editor, Meqaleh;

(cid:1) Dawit Habtemichael (m), assistant editor in chief, Meqaleh;

(cid:1) Medhanie Haile (m), assistant editor in chief, Keste Debena;

(cid:1) Dawit Isaac (m), reporter, Setit (Swedish citizen);

(cid:1) Fessahaye Yohannes (‘Joshua’) (m), reporter, Setit;

(cid:1) Said Abdulkadir (m), editor in chief, Admas.

Is the Commission aware of the arrest of the 10 journalists referred to above?

Is the Commission prepared to ask for an explanation from the Government of Eritrea concerning these
arrests?

What steps can the Commission take to obtain the release of these journalists and prevent arrests of this
kind in future?

Answer given by Mr Nielson on behalf of the Commission

(25 June 2002)

The Commission is aware of the arrest of the journalists referred to. The political developments in Eritrea
since September 2001 are of grave concern to the Commission. The Commission considers the arrest of
political dissidents as well as of journalists, the banning of the free press, and the postponement of the
parliamentary elections as a serious setback to political development in Eritrea.

The Commission deplores that no decision has been taken on issues such as when the detainees will be
brought to justice or freed and that the formation of political parties has been postponed. It is hoped that
the Committee that was created to look at the future of the press in Eritrea will soon allow lifting the
suspension of the private press.

The Commission is working with the Presidency and the Member States towards a firm response to the
present crisis and believes that the dialogue should be maintained in the framework of Article 8 of the
Cotonou Agreement.

8.5.2003

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 110 E/17

On 5 April 2002, the Troika in Asmara discussed the situation of the journalists and pressed the
government to start legal procedures against them or to release them.

A high level Troika visit is envisaged to address the present impasse. The objective of that mission is to
discuss the internal situation in Eritrea as well as the full potential of benefits from the Cotonou
Agreement and the underlying reasons behind its essential elements and values. The consequences of a
further lack of progress on internal
issues for Union-Eritrea relations will be also explained to the
Government.

(2003/C 110 E/017)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1468/02

by Cecilia Malmström (ELDR)
and Olle Schmidt (ELDR) to the Commission

(27 May 2002)

Subject: The situation of the media in Poland

A new law on media has recently been proposed by the Polish Government which may lead to increased
restrictions on private radio, television and newspapers. The law is due to be passed by the Sejm within a
few months. The political opposition in Poland, as well as the President of
the Polish Republic,
Mr. Kwasniewski, have expressed serious concern about the new law, which is said to be a tool for the
government to regain influence over nationwide media.

the major Polish daily
We have also received alarming information about a specific situation at
‘Rzeczpospolita’.
In February 2002, criminal charges were brought against Mr. Grzegorsz Gauden,
president of Presspublica, the publisher of Rzeczpospolita, for ‘acting to the detriment of the company’.
Mr. Gauden is a dual Polish-Swedish citizen, and thus a citizen of the European Union. Despite this fact, he
has been deprived of his passport and is denied the right to travel outside Poland. The publishing company
has appointed several major international auditing firms to investigate the matter, and they all discredit the
findings of the public prosecutor. Many politicians in Poland fear that the Government’s action is a way to
regain political influence over the Rzeczpospolita newspaper, which was previously a state-owned daily.

Poland, being one of the candidate states soon to enter the European Union, is said to fulfil the political
Copenhagen criteria already at this stage. However, the disturbing situation of the media in Poland, caused
by Government action and the new media law, causes concern. Considering this, we would like to ask the
Commission the following question: What measures will the Commission take within the framework of the
accession negotiations with regard to the new media law and action taken by the government to politicise
the media, which may lead to increased restrictions on private media in Poland?

Answer given by Mr Verheugen on behalf of the Commission

(24 June 2002)

The Commission has in its Regular Report (1) stated that Poland fulfils the political criteria and there are no
major impediments to free speech.

Concerns have, however, been expressed with regard to the draft media law which is currently before the
Polish parliament. In particular, there are many (both in Polish media circles but also more broadly) who
consider that the law, if adopted, will curtail the rights of cross ownership of private media groups: for
example, ownership of a national newspaper will preclude ownership of a national television station while
not placing the same limitations on public media groups.

The Commission has just received a copy of the draft legislation and this is being assessed for compliance
with the acquis by its services. The Commission considers that it is premature, at this stage, to draw any
conclusions regarding a potential breach of the political accession criteria, especially as the law has not yet
been adopted and seems likely to be modified during the ongoing discussions in the Polish parliament. The
Commission is confident that any legislation which is finally adopted will be in conformity with the acquis
and with Poland’s broader international obligations.