WRITTEN QUESTION E-2563/02 by Anna Karamanou (PSE) to the Council. Women in black — 7th anniversary of the Srebrenica massacre.
Date: 2002-09-16
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Bosnia and Herzegovina, EU relations, Serbia and Montenegro, commemoration, common foreign and security policy, free movement of persons, multinational force, war victim

C 155 E/32

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

3.7.2003

During its examination of the dossier, the Commission has twice contacted the Spanish authorities to
check that Council Directives 85/337/EEC of 27 June 1985 on the assessment of the effects of certain
public and private projects on the environment (2) and 96/82/EC of 16 December 1996 on the control of
major-accident hazards involving dangerous substances (3)
(Seveso) are being properly applied in this
instance.

The Commission is currently examining the latest reply from the Spanish authorities.

This dossier will be discussed with the Spanish authorities in October during the bilateral meeting being
held to review certain complaints and infringements relating to the environment.

As guardian of the Treaties, the Commission will take the necessary steps to ensure that Community law is
observed in the case in hand.

(1) OJ C 350 E, 11.12.2001.
(2) OJ L 175, 5.7.1985, amended by Council Directive 97/11/EC of 3 March 1997 (cid:1) OJ L 73, 14.3.1997.
(3) OJ L 10, 14.1.1997.

(2003/C 155 E/035)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2563/02

by Anna Karamanou (PSE) to the Council

(16 September 2002)

Subject: Women in black (cid:1) 7th anniversary of the Srebrenica massacre

According to the organisation ‘Women in Black’, the government of the Bosnian Serb Entity prevented a
delegation from the organisation from travelling to Srebrenica to attend the ceremony to mark the 7th
anniversary of the Srebrenica massacre on 11 July 2002 and to pay tribute to the memory of the victims.
Moreover, despite the fact that the Stabilisation Force, SFOR, had granted authorisation and promised to
escort the buses, it did not keep its word, so that women belonging to 16 peace organisations in Serbia
and Montenegro were unable to attend the commemoration.

What measures will the Council take to compel the governments of present-day Yugoslavia and the
Bosnian-Serb Entity (Republika Srpska) and SFOR to respect the right of the women to attend similar
events in the future and not to obstruct the free movement of individuals for reasons of political
expediency? In addition, what action will the Commission take to put an end to the attempts of chauvinist
elements in the Bosnian Serb Entity to undermine peaceful coexistence in Bosnia-Herzegovina?

Reply

(3 March 2003)

UNMIBH and OHR confirm that on 11th July 2002,
the Republica Srpska (RS) police prevented
representatives of the Serbian NGO ‘Women in black’ from traveling to Srebrenica/Potocari to attend a
ceremony to mark the 7th anniversary of the Srebrenica massacre on 11 July 2002. The Republica Srpska
police also blocked the entry into the RS of a television crew from Federation TV, which was travelling to
Srebrenica/Potocari to prepare a live broadcast of the commemoration service.

UNMIBH subsequently confirmed that ‘Women in Black’ had failed to meet the deadline for accreditation
and had therefore been prevented from travelling to Srebrenica/Potocari. The FTV crew also lacked valid
accreditation. UNMIBH and SFOR assess the conduct of the RS Ministry of Interior and the 1500 police
officers, who participated in the security operation, to have been correct.

These were reportedly the only two exceptions. Otherwise, all participating organizations and other 150
media representatives, who had followed proper registration or accreditation procedures, were able to take
part or cover the events in Srebrenica/Potocari without any restrictions.

3.7.2003

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Official Journal of the European Union

C 155 E/33

Against this background, the Council believes that no further action is needed at this time, since the
freedom of movement of the ‘Women in Black’ has since been restored to normal. The Council joins the
international community in Bosnia and Herzegovina in regretting what happened to the ‘Women in Black’
on 11 July 2002. Their message of
inter-ethnic, woman-to-woman solidarity would have added an
important dimension to the commemoration service.

The Council defers to the Commission for the part of the question which concerns its competence.

(2003/C 155 E/036)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2565/02

by Anna Karamanou (PSE) to the Council

(16 September 2002)

Subject: Mass repatriation of Afghan refugees

The prevailing insecurity in Afghanistan, which is related to the climate of violence in the country (cid:1)
ongoing conflict, crime, banditry, the violation of women’s rights, the presence of mines and the American
forces’ bombing campaign (cid:1) together with the incapacity to absorb repatriated Afghans, are a direct threat
to the safe return of Afghan refugees who are displaced internally in the country and abroad.

In its report entitled ‘Continuing need for protection and standards for return of Afghan refugees’, Amnesty
International expresses concern at the policy of mass repatriation promoted by the UNHCR in cooperation
with the countries sheltering Afghan refugees, stressing that, in such circumstances, international standards
should apply, as they are of vital importance to ensure that Afghan refugees can return in safety and
dignity. Otherwise, the organisation warns that the situation may result in renewed cycles of displacement.

the Council

Will
the use of compulsory and coercive measures to return to
Afghanistan refugees who may suffer serious human rights abuses, and to ensure that international
standards of protection for refugees are applied?

intervene to prevent

Reply

(20 February 2003)

Following the collapse of the Taliban regime and the setting up of new political

1.
institutions in
Afghanistan, the question of the adoption of programmes for the repatriation of Afghan nationals now in
the territory of EU Member States is being examined by the Member States concerned and at EU level.
Some Member States have already set up such programmes.

2.
As regards EU action in this area, it should be recalled that the Seville European Council asked the
Council to adopt, before the end of 2002, a repatriation programme based on the Commission’s Green
Paper on return and incorporating ‘the best possible facilities for early return to Afghanistan’ (Conclusion
30).

With a view to implementing the Seville conclusions, the Danish Presidency has submitted a draft
programme on return to Afghanistan. It is currently being examined by the competent Council bodies and
was submitted to the Council for an initial exchange of views on 15 October 2002. The Council adopted
the Plan at its meeting on 28 November 2002.

The Council notes that this Plan for return to Afghanistan should be seen in the context of the creation of
a general EU programme, which is also in progress. In adopting this Plan, the Council considered that, at
the present time, return to Afghanistan from the EU should be initiated and that the status of Afghans who
decide not to avail themselves of voluntary repatriation shall continue to be governed by the relevant
national legislation in full respect of the 1951 Convention relating to the status of refugees and its 1967