WRITTEN QUESTION E-2088/02 by Bob van den Bos (ELDR) to the Commission. Slavery.
Date: 2002-07-12
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: ACP countries, EU aid, EU relations, Sudan, cooperation agreement, human rights, non-governmental organisation, report, slavery, trafficking in human beings

14.8.2003

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 192 E/49

Certificate (NOC) in international adoptions, had given several NOC to couples, even though apparent
irregularities are found in the adoption procedures, CARA has now intervened as a party in the judicial
trial in the High Court of Hyderabad, where non governmental organisations (NGOs) and parents have
filed their cases.

A Union representation at
interference in the independence of judiciary.

this stage would be counterproductive since it could be viewed as an

(2003/C 192 E/047)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2088/02

by Bob van den Bos (ELDR) to the Commission

(12 July 2002)

Subject: Slavery

In late May, the US-led Eminent Persons Group on Slavery, which was set up by President Bush and
includes members from a number of European countries, published a damning report on the situation in
Sudan. The Group accused the Sudanese Government of turning a blind eye to slavery. Slavery is a
phenomenon which occurs not only in a large number of African countries but also, for example, in the
Islamic Gulf States, in the Caucasus and in south-east Asia.

Is the Commission aware of the existence of that report? What political conclusions does it draw

1.
therefrom?

Is the Commission aware of slavery occurring in ACP States? If so, what policy is it pursuing with a

2.
view to this practice being abolished in those countries?

3. What sanctions does the Commission have at its disposal
abolition of slavery in those countries where its existence is proven?

if no progress is made towards the

Answer given by Mr Nielson on behalf of the Commission

(24 September 2002)

The Commission was informed that an International Eminent Persons Group (IEPG) in the framework of
the mission of the United States Presidential Envoy for Peace in the Sudan, Senator J. Danforth, was
requested to investigate the situation on Slavery, Abduction and Forced Servitude in the Sudan. The
Commission is aware that the IEPG issued a report for the consideration of both Senator Danforth and the
United States’ Administration for possible follow-up. Although the Commission was involved neither in its
preparation nor in its possible implementation it considers the report as a very useful tool for a better
understanding of these sensitive matters. Furthermore, and as it is suggested by the IEPG, deeper research
and analysis is needed even in the eventuality of a peace settlement. The Union has consistently underlined
its opposition to contemporary slavery, including at the 58th session of the United Nations Commission
on Human Rights (CHR). The Union also expressed its concern at the incidences of forced labour in the
resolution which it introduced on Sudan at the last CHR.

The Union’s Annual Human Rights Report of 2001 addresses the issue of slavery in the section dealing
with trafficking in human beings and points to several initiatives taken by the Union to combat such
practices. Moreover, Article 5 of the Charter for Fundamental Rights, proclaimed by the Union at Nice in
December 2000, underlines the prohibition of slavery and forced labour.

The Commission is aware of slavery occurring in the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) states. Where
possible it tries to discuss the issue with the authorities. However, it also acts through support to non-
governmental organisations (NGOs) and the civil society. The Cotonou Agreement provides a new basis for
discussion on those kinds of topic (Article 8) which should be used in the future. Moreover, the Cotonou
Agreement provides instruments for when human rights and the rule of law are violated in a country.

C 192 E/50

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

14.8.2003

Funding has been allocated under the European Initiative for Democracy and Human Rights (Chapter B7-7
of the Community budget) for projects tackling the issue of trafficking, child labour and slavery. For
example, under
la
Cooperazione Internazionale e l’Aiuto Umanitario) to promote children’s rights and to combat child
trafficking, modern forms of slavery and the exploitation of minors in Gabon, Benin, Togo and Nigeria.
Such support complements the assistance which is channelled through country-specific programmes.

the 2001 budget, EUR 1 252 375 was allocated to Alizei

(Associazione per

As far as co-operation with West Africa is concerned, the ongoing 9th European Development Fund (EDF)
programming exercise has indeed looked into the issues of conflict prevention and human being
trafficking. It is envisaged to support Ecowas through specific actions in those areas.

The human rights clause, which is included in all co-operation agreements between the Community and
third countries, defines respect for human rights as an essential element of the agreement. Core labour
standards, as set out in the eight key standard International Labour Organisation (ILO) Conventions
(including those on forced and child labour) fall within the remit of this clause, which provides a basis for
raising such concerns with third countries and for procedures (cid:1) including ultimately the suspension of the
co-operation agreement (cid:1) in the event that human rights’ abuses continue.

(2003/C 192 E/048)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2095/02

by Michiel van Hulten (PSE)
and Diana Wallis (ELDR) to the Commission

(16 July 2002)

Subject: Multiple framework contracts for translation services

Can the Commission confirm that the conclusion of multiple framework contracts for translation

1.
services is fully justified in the light of:

(a)

(b)

the impossibility of determining any but the most general aspects of the service required at the
moment of award of the contracts (specifically neither volume nor deadline can be specified) and

the urgency with which the service is required and that, in the case of translation services, multiple
framework contracts do not constitute an exception but are accepted as the norm?

Can the Commission confirm that, given the legal framework, there are no legal grounds to prevent
2.
authorising officers managing multiple framework contracts for translation services from operating a
system of on-going assessment of the quality of service actually offered during the contract period, with
the ranking of contractors being adjusted to reflect the actual quality, subject to announcement (in
accordance with Article 98a (3)(b) and (4) of the Implementing Rules for the Financial Regulation) of the
intention to operate such a system in the contract notice, tender specification and framework contract?

Answer given by Mr Kinnock on behalf of the Commission

(8 October 2002)

It should be noted that each Institution as an independent contracting authority is solely responsible for
applying the procedures for the award of public procurement contracts and the management of such
contracts in the general framework of the Financial Regulation.

In the Commission, the conclusion of ‘multiple standard-form general contracts’ is possible only if:

(cid:1) the undifferentiated nature of the services does not allow subdivision of the contract into lots,

(cid:1) security of supply might not be guaranteed otherwise (scale of requirement compared with the market

capacity) or urgency and extremely short response is required, and

(cid:1) the work to be done cannot be defined precisely when the contract is awarded.

The Commission can assure the Honourable Members that authorising officers managing multiple
framework contracts for translation services have a legal obligation to assess the quality of service actually
provided during the contract period in order to verify the proper execution of the contract (Articles 1(2)
and 68 of
the Financial Regulation of
21 December 1977).

the Rules for the implementation of certain provisions of