WRITTEN QUESTION E-2570/02 by Robert Evans (PSE) to the Commission. North Korean refugees in China.
Date: 2002-09-16
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: China, EU relations, North Korea, aid to refugees, human rights, refugee, removal

C 11 E/6

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

15.1.2004

(2004/C 11 E/007)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2570/02

by Robert Evans (PSE) to the Commission

(16 September 2002)

Subject: North Korean refugees in China

Is the Commission aware of the plight of North Koreans who have fled their country fearing persecution
and are facing imminent forcible repatriation from China?

Constituents have written to me concerned at their current conditions and the treatment that awaits them
in China if they are forced to leave.

Is the European Commission involved in any dialogue or action to assist the North Korean refugees or to
improve the human rights situation in North Korea?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(8 October 2002)

The human rights situation in North Korea is a major concern for the Commission. Human rights issues,
including the plight of refugees, are systematically raised during its regular political contacts with the
North Korean authorities. In June 2002 in Pyongyang, the Commission had the opportunity to express to
the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea (DPRK) authorities its concerns over the treatment of these
persons once returned by China and urged the DPRK to respect the fundamental rights of these citizens.

Since large numbers of North Koreans flee over the border to China, the Union has also urged China on
several occasions and in the context of the human rights dialogue it maintains with that country, to
respect international humanitarian norms and to grant access to the Office of the High Commissioner for
Refugees to assess the situation of North Koreans in the border area.

The Commission will continue to monitor the situation of refugees from North Korea closely and to raise
it in its contacts with the DPRK and Chinese authorities.

(2004/C 11 E/008)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2642/02

by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(13 September 2002)

Subject: Works on the River Kifissos in Athens

EU-funded roadworks in Athens include a project to build a motorway over the River Kifissos, which is the
main catchment for rainwater for most of Athens. The recent brief showers during the summer caused the
river to overflow three times, wreaking widespread damage in the surrounding areas. Officials at the
Ministry for the Environment, Planning and Public Works, which is responsible for the project, as well as
other scientific and technical experts claim that the work is flawed in that the river is being widened
upstream rather than downstream without the requisite technical and environmental studies having been
carried out. The result is that even light rainfall inevitably causes damage.

Given that the project is funded by the EU, will the Commission say:

(cid:1) whether the requisite technical and environmental studies to ensure that construction was technically

sound and safe were submitted during the procedure for approving the project,

(cid:1) whether the studies submitted provided for works or measures to protect the surrounding areas

against flooding for the duration of the work, and