WRITTEN QUESTION E-1812/02 by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL),Pedro Marset Campos (GUE/NGL) and Feleknas Uca (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. Further persecution of author in Turkey.
Date: 2002-06-24
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU relations, Türkiye, accession to the European Union, book trade, freedom of expression, legal process, literary profession, seizure of goods

14.8.2003

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 192 E/21

Program in Bosnia and Herzegovina has been an important weapon in the fight against trafficking. The
Union also contributes indirectly (cid:1) by addressing the ‘opportunities’ which traffickers exploit. Thus, in
2001 the CARDS assistance programme provided EUR 2,5 million to the BiH State Border Service helping
that country improve control of its borders. In 2002 CARDS support is directed inter alia to reform of the
prosecutorial and judicial systems in BiH. It will further contribute EUR 5 million to developing police
training, equipment and office development. Combating
capabilities
trafficking will of course also be a concern of the EU Police Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina which
will commence on 1 January 2003.

through technical assistance,

As regards combating trafficking in wider Europe, in particular in the candidate countries, Commission
policy is characterised by a focus put on the victims of this abhorrent criminal activity, on dismantling
criminal networks and on prevention. Legislative action has been taken and a Framework Decision laying
down common definitions and sanctions may soon be adopted. A Commission proposal for a Directive on
short-term stay permits for victims who co-operate against their exploiters is also under discussion in the
Council. The STOP II Programme provides support to training, research and projects promoting the
development of co-operation at Union level, and the European Forum on Prevention of Organised Crime
specifically addresses trafficking in human beings. On 28 September 2001 the Ministers of Justice and the
Interior, together with their colleagues from the candidate countries, agreed 12 measures to combat
trafficking, among them active operational co-operation, the organisation of information campaigns and
the provision of assistance to victims. These measures will form a platform for developed co-operation
with the applicant countries.

Despite the difficulty of collecting statistical data in this area, most actors involved in combating trafficking
in human beings agree that it is a growing phenomenon. At a global level, estimates reach as high as
700 000 women and children being moved across international borders by trafficking rings each year.
Some non-governmental organisations put the number significantly higher, especially if trafficking for the
purpose of labour exploitation is included. The Commission will continue to support research with a view
to improving the understanding of the phenomenon under the STOP II Programme.

(2003/C 192 E/020)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1812/02

by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL),
Pedro Marset Campos (GUE/NGL) and Feleknas Uca (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

Subject: Further persecution of author in Turkey

(24 June 2002)

The book by the Turkish writer Omar Asan with the title ‘Pontos Kulturu’ on the culture of the region of
Pontus, that was published for the first time in 1996 and was freely distributed, was suddenly banned and
seized in January 2002 after a TV broadcast. The writer, who is honoured with the ‘Abbdi Ipektsi’ prize,
has been accused of agitating for Turkish partition orally and in writing. This accusation can lead to
imprisonment for 14 months to 4 years.

these anti-democratic restrictions and trials contradict

Given that
the obligations that Turkey has
undertaken towards the European Union, does the Commission intend to make representations to the
Turkish authorities with a view to having the accusations against the writer dropped and permission being
granted for the free distribution of the book?

Answer given by Mr Verheugen on behalf of the Commission

(26 July 2002)

The Commission would refer the Honourable Members to the reply it gave to Written Question E-0538/02
by Mr Xacharkos (1) on the same issue.

C 192 E/22

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

14.8.2003

It confirms that it is aware of the case mentioned by the Honourable Member concerning the book of
Mr Asan on the ‘Pontus Culture’. According to the information available to the Commission, Mr Asan has
been prosecuted by an Istanbul State Security Court on charges of separatist propaganda. In light of the
Copenhagen political criteria and more specifically freedom of expression, this case is of serious concern.

Further details on the Commission’s assessment of freedom of expression in Turkey is given in the regular
reports on Turkey’s progress towards accession. The Commission has raised the exercise of freedom of
expression in Turkey on various occasions including the Community-Turkey Association Council and
Association Committee meetings and during high-level meetings including the visit of the Member of the
Commission in charge of Enlargement to Turkey on 14/15 February 2002.

(1) OJ C 52 E, 6.3.2003, p. 8.

(2003/C 192 E/021)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1819/02

by Glenys Kinnock (PSE) to the Commission

(27 June 2002)

Subject: Indonesia

Would the Commission outline what action the EU is taking to encourage the Indonesian authorities to
urgently:

1.

expel all Laskar Jihad (cid:1) and other non-local (cid:1) fighters from the Moluccas, Sulawesi and West Papua;

2.

3.

4.

ensure that Jafar Umar Thalib,
accused of committing, including the recent massacre at Soya, Ambon;

leader of the Laskar Jihad, is prosecuted for the crimes that he is

ensure that the Indonesian military and police act fairly and responsibly in their efforts to keep the
peace in the Moluccas, Sulawesi and West Papua;

ensure that the 3 000 Moluccan Christians on the Halmehera, Bacan, Buru and Seram islands who
have been forced to convert to Islam by Muslim militants are urgently evacuated to a place of safety.

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(19 July 2002)

The Commission’s Delegation in Jakarta, together with the diplomatic missions of the Member States,
closely follows the security and related human rights developments throughout Indonesia and participates
in all Union démarches to draw attention to concerns regarding human rights issues in Indonesia. The
Commission shares the stated position of the Union, firmly supporting Indonesia’s territorial
integrity,
while encouraging the Government to make urgent efforts to address and resolve peacefully Indonesia’s
internal conflicts, whether separatist or sectarian in character. Like the majority of the international
community, the Commission considers that these internal conflicts are primarily the responsibility of
Indonesia, and should be addressed first and foremost by the Indonesian Government, and by civil society
organisations, the religious communities and other institutions in peaceful dialogue, within the rule of law,
and respecting human rights without favour to any particular group.

Ongoing violence in the Moluccas as well as in the provinces of Aceh, Sulawesi and Papua is a matter of
continuing concern. The investigation and prosecution of the perpetrators of human rights abuses in East
Timor, up to and including September 1999, is still unresolved, although the Indonesian authorities have
appointed in January 2002 an ad hoc Human Rights tribunal to investigate these abuses.