WRITTEN QUESTION E-2453/02 by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. Release from prison of the Turkish Cypriot journalists Sener Levent and Memduh Ener.
Date: 2002-08-29
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Cyprus, EU relations, Türkiye, freedom of expression, freedom of the press, international issue, right to justice

15.1.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 11 E/3

liberalisation of

trade with the Union, coupled with enhanced regional
Commission believes that
integration in the Balkans and WTO membership, will have a lasting beneficial effect on its partners in
south-eastern Europe. This policy was launched by the Cologne European Council
in June 1999 and
extended at the end of 2000 to the whole region after the lifting of sanctions against the Federal Republic
of Yugoslavia (FRY).

(1) OJ L 240, 23.9.2000.
(2) OJ L 295, 23.11.2000.

(2004/C 11 E/003)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2453/02

by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(29 August 2002)

Subject: Release from prison of the Turkish Cypriot journalists Sener Levent and Memduh Ener

The Turkish Cypriots Sener Levent and Memduh Ener, the former the editor and the latter a journalist, of
the Turkish Cypriot newspaper ‘Africa’ (who aroused the wrath of the regime for supporting a peaceful
solution to the problem of Cyprus and the accession of Cyprus to the European Union), have been given a
six-month jail sentence for publishing an article criticising Rauf Denktash and the Turkish army of
occupation. Given that the situation as regards human rights and freedom of expression is steadily
deteriorating in the occupied territories, will the Commission say what measures it intends to take to
secure the release of these two journalists and ensure that the above rights are respected?

Answer given by Mr Verheugen on behalf of the Commission

(11 October 2002)

The Commission regrets the fact that, on 8 August 2002, the editor and a journalist of the newspaper
‘Africa’ were sentenced to six months in prison for an article published in July 1999 that was said to have
contained an ‘insult against the President’.

It believes that the right to free speech constitutes one of the essential foundations of a democratic society.
Free speech, as guaranteed by the European Convention on Human Rights, and interpreted by the
European Court of Human Rights, does not only encompass value judgements that are favourably received
or regarded as inoffensive or as a matter of indifference, but also those that offend, shock or disturb. Such
are the demands of pluralism, tolerance and broadmindedness without which there is no ‘democratic
society’.

These principles are of particular importance as far as the press is concerned.

On 9 October 2002, the Commission will present this year’s Regular Report of Cyprus Progress towards
Accession to the Union. The report will contain a section dealing with the situation in the northern parts
of Cyprus, and will take into account the events to which the Honourable Member refers.

(2004/C 11 E/004)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2513/02

by Konstantinos Hatzidakis (PPE-DE) to the Commission

Subject: Pollution in the vicinity of a steam power plant at Keratsini

(9 September 2002)

A study carried out by the port police of the Ministry of Merchant Shipping (reference number 2412 of
2 April 2002) and the Central Port Authority of Piraeus has identified pollution in the fishing port of
Keratsini and in the adjoining land and sea areas close to the steam power plant at Keratsini belonging to
DEH (the Greek Public Power Corporation).