WRITTEN QUESTION E-1889/02 by John Cushnahan (PPE-DE) to the Council. Human rights intimidation.
Date: 2002-07-01
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU relations, Guatemala, human rights, human rights movement, public safety

C 52 E/112

Official Journal of the European Union

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6.3.2003

(2003/C 52 E/125)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1866/02

by James Fitzsimons (UEN) to the Council

(28 June 2002)

Subject: ILO’s report on child labour

Will the Council indicate how it intends to respond on behalf of the European Union to the International
Labour Organisation’s first global report on child labour which alarmingly estimates that out of a global
total of 246 million child labourers aged 5-17 years, nearly 180 million or 73 % are now believed to be
engaged in the worst forms of child labour including hazardous work and even sexual exploitation, slavery,
trafficking and debt-bondage?

Reply

(5 November 2002)

The Council refers to its reply to an identical oral question by the Honourable Member in May 2002 (H-
0377/02).

(2003/C 52 E/126)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1889/02

by John Cushnahan (PPE-DE) to the Council

(1 July 2002)

Subject: Human rights intimidation

Is the Council aware of the increase in intimidation against members of the country’s human rights
community in Guatemala, including the recent assassination of Guillermo Ovalle de León, a member of the
human rights group Rigoberta Menchù?

Additionally, those defending the rights of endangered street children and children in jail have been
threatened at gunpoint.

What action will the Council take to ensure the protection of these human rights organisations so that
they can continue their investigations into the abuse of human rights?

Reply

(11 November 2002)

1.
The Council is aware of the deteriorating human rights situation in Guatemala and views with the
greatest concern the harassment, death threats and assaults directed against persons and organisations
working in the defence of human rights in Guatemala. The Council has repeatedly condemned these acts,
which impede progress in strengthening the rule of law, and has urged the government of Guatemala to
protect those targeted and have the incidents investigated, so that legal action can be taken to punish those
responsible. The specific case of the assassination of Guillermo Ovalle de Leòn was addressed in the
Council’s reply to Written Question E-1435/02.

2.
As already mentioned in that reply, in April the Council took the occasion of the fourth anniversary
of the murder of Bishop Gerardi to reiterate to the Guatemalan government its concern at the persistent
intimidation, threats and aggression suffered by members of human rights organisations, journalists and
law officers. Moreover, in May a démarche on behalf of the EU was made to the Vice President expressing
concern over human rights issues, notably the threats to those working in this field.

6.3.2003

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Official Journal of the European Union

C 52 E/113

The Council fully supports the statement of the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative on
3.
Human Rights Defenders, Ms Hina Jilani, made on 12 June 2002 following her visit to Guatemala, in
which, amongst other things, she urged the government to implement the Peace Accords and particularly
their human rights component; to end impunity for past and current violations; and to conduct a
thorough and independent investigation into the allegations of violations against human rights defenders
and the alleged existence of clandestine groups. Ms Jilani’s report on her visit to Guatemala, to be
submitted to the Human Rights Commission in Geneva in 2003, will be a very welcome development.

4.
The Council maintains constructive dialogue with Guatemala based on the respect for human rights
and the implementation of the Peace Accords, both bilaterally and in the framework of the San Jose
dialogue. The situation in Guatemala is being monitored closely with a view to determining the
appropriate course of action to be followed.

(2003/C 52 E/127)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1915/02

by Dorette Corbey (PSE) to the Council

(2 July 2002)

Subject: Introduction of the euro

According to Eurobarometer 56, close to half the EU population thinks that the euro is pushing up
consumer goods prices. According to a survey by the Netherlands’ Consumers’ Association, compact disc
prices rose by 7,2 % between March 2001 and March 2002. In the same period, set-meal prices in
restaurants increased by 6,2 %, on average, and by as much as 8,8 % in cafes. The euro was supposed to
result in greater transparency and an end to exchange costs and thus lower prices. When the summer
holidays came, people were supposed to discover the benefits of the euro abroad, since money no longer
needs to be changed in the euro zone. Now that the introduction of the euro has resulted in large price
rises, those benefits have vanished. At the same time, some old banknotes have not been returned,
representing a profit for national banks and hence for national exchequers.

Does the Council acknowledge that it has a political responsibility to deliver on the pledge made to

1.
consumers and make sure that the euro finally benefits them?

2. What scope does the Council see to flesh out that political responsibility?

Reply

(5 November 2002)

Neither the Commission nor the ECB has reported a substantial
increase in inflation further to the
introduction of euro notes and coins as from 1st January 2002. The Commission published in March 2002
the ‘Review of the introduction of euro notes and coins’, and the ECB published in April 2002 the
‘Evaluation of the 2002 cash changeover’.

Both institutions acknowledge, however, that inflation has been above 2 % in the euro area since January
2002 but relate this phenomenon to exceptional factors, such as persistent unexpectedly high energy
prices and temporary price increases for food, resulting from the BSE and other animal sickness-related
food crisis and from bad weather conditions.

The Council, furthermore, draws the attention of the Honourable Parliamentarian to the important longer
term benefits of the introduction of the euro.