WRITTEN QUESTION E-2568/02 by Robert Evans (PSE) to the Commission. Defamation charges against Bruce Harris of Casa Alianza in Guatemala.
Date: 2002-09-16
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU relations, Guatemala, child protection, freedom of expression, non-governmental organisation, right to justice, trafficking in human beings

C 280 E/6

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

21.11.2003

What measures will the Commission 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?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(22 October 2002)

The Commission is aware of reports suggesting that several parties were prevented from travelling to
Srebrenica on 11 July 2002 to mark the anniversary of the 1995 massacre. In one case, 30-40 members of
‘Women in Black’ who had set off from Belgrade were reportedly stopped by Republika Srpska (RS) police
near Bratunac and prevented from proceeding to Srebrenica. Reports suggest that several of the bus
passengers concerned were not carrying the required documentation. In a similar case both the Office of
the High Representative and the Organisation for Security and Cooperation en Europe (OSCE) in Bosnia
and Herzegovina (BiH) expressed concern and called on the RS government to investigate and take any
necessary disciplinary action. While SFOR contributes to a secure environment, inter alia through patrols,
it cannot provide a blanket security presence.

‘compel’

the RS government

to allow free movement

Although the Commission cannot
to such
commemorations, the Commission can and does forcefully point out the responsibility of the BiH and
Entity authorities to guarantee the ‘full freedom of movement of persons … throughout Bosnia and
Herzegovina’ (Article I.4 of the BiH constitution). Any failure to implement this requirement would, if
confirmed, be noted in annual reports on the Stabilisation and Association Process and would subsequently
be reflected in a delay in BiH’s integration into Union structures. In this context, the Commission would
also point to its political and financial support for the development of the rule of law in BiH. One part of
this agenda is the work of the Union Police Mission; the latter will further combat any excesses. Finally, the
Commission wishes to underline that the elimination of chauvinist opposition to peaceful co-existence in
BiH require attitude changes across the ethnic divide. The Commission attempts to address this through a
wide range of both positive and negative inducements; its final eradication will, however, inevitably take a
long time.

(2003/C 280 E/007)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2568/02

by Robert Evans (PSE) to the Commission

(16 September 2002)

Subject: Defamation charges against Bruce Harris of Casa Alianza in Guatemala

Is the Commission aware of the defamation charges against Bruce Harris, Regional Director of Latin
American Programs for Covenant House (Casa Alianza), placed against him in Guatemala?

Constituents have written to alert me of the charges against Mr Harris and the maximum five-year prison
sentence he faces if found guilty. The case relates to a joint investigation into the illegal trafficking of
Guatemalan and Mexican babies, sent to other countries for adoption.

It appears that after many years of working for street children in Central America, Mr Harris could suffer a
long prison sentence for attempting to uncover the truth.

Is the Commission involved in dialogue or action to ensure that justice is done in this case?

21.11.2003

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 280 E/7

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(29 October 2002)

The Commission is well aware of the trial for defamation concerning Bruce Harris, Casa Alianza’s Regional
Director for Latin American Programs, a case that, for some years has drawn the attention of the
international community, claiming the full respect of justice and freedom of expression in Guatemala.

At the same time, the Commission has been collaborating with Casa Alianza and is conscious of Mr Harris’
commitment to the defense of young people and children’s rights in Guatemala.

As the Honourable Member may know, the promotion of human rights, the rule of law and the good and
transparent management of public affairs are at
the relations between the Union and
Guatemala.

the core of

The Commission is actively supporting the public authorities, as well as civil society, in order to promote a
more accessible and impartial judiciary system for all Guatemalans by means of concrete co-operation
actions and programmes.

Moreover, through political dialogue, the Commission and the Member States are constantly urging the
local public institutions to discourage and investigate any attack against human rights defenders and non-
governmental organisations (NGOs).

Within this framework, and in accordance with the principle of respect for an independent judicial system,
the Commission will consult Member States on whether to call on the Guatemalan authorities and
judiciary institutions to handle cases, such as that of Bruce Harris’, fairly and impartially.

(2003/C 280 E/008)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2591/02

by Gian Gobbo (NI) to the Commission

(11 September 2002)

Subject: Priority to be given to Argentineans of European origin as far as immigration from outside the

Community is concerned

The serious economic crisis which recently hit Argentina is inducing many Argentinean citizens of
European origin to emigrate to the European Union, in particular Italy and Spain.

They are usually well-educated people who speak at least one Community language perfectly and whose
integration into the Member States should pose no problems.

Does the Commission not consider it would be useful to create an aid programme to give priority and
preference to the entry of these people into the countries where they have their roots?

Does it not consider that the supervised arrival of these new immigrants of European origin is preferable
to the entry into our countries of immigrants from outside Europe who (cid:1) for cultural, religious and socio-
economic reasons (cid:1) are often difficult to assimilate in our communities?

Answer given by Mr Vitorino on behalf of the Commission

(30 October 2002)

At the present stage of development of Community policy on migration, the criteria for the selection of
third country nationals seeking admission to its territory as legal immigrants is a matter for each Member
State to decide taking into account the relevant national legislation and bi-lateral or other agreements
which it may have entered into with particular third countries. Knowledge of the language of the receiving
country and historical and cultural links with third countries may influence these arrangements and the
admission decision.