WRITTEN QUESTION E-2671/02 by Stavros Xarchakos (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Destruction of the cultural heritage and persecution on the islands of Imbros and Tenedos.
Date: 2002-09-24
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU relations, Greece, Türkiye, cultural heritage, heritage protection, ownership, protection of minorities, religious discrimination

15.1.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 11 E/11

In its Communication to the Parliament and the Council on July 2001 on the development of the External
Service, the Commission decided on a number of further changes to the network of Delegations. Given the
tight financial conditions under which the External Service has been operating the changes had to be
budget neutral. In consequence some external representations are in the process of being closed and some
have been streamlined in order to permit a small number of new openings.

The Commission is happy to be able to inform the Honourable Member that Saudi Arabia, Taiwan,
Singapore, and Ecuador are again included in the plans of the Commission and negotiations are under way
in order to open Delegations in those countries by the end of 2002.

As for Iran and Switzerland, while the Commission is similarly aware of the weight of those states
politically and economically, the present pressure on resources means that the Commission is unable to
open Delegations in the immediate future. The Commission wishes to assure the Honourable Member,
however, that Iran and Switzerland are under active consideration for an opening in the medium term.

(2004/C 11 E/013)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2671/02

by Stavros Xarchakos (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(24 September 2002)

Subject: Destruction of the cultural heritage and persecution on the islands of Imbros and Tenedos

According to Christians who were born and until relatively recently lived on the islands of Imbros and
Tenedos (which now belong to Turkey), the thousands of Christian inhabitants of the two islands were
forced to abandon their homes, while Christian churches were looted and converted into mosques. Until
1964, 9 000 Christians lived on Imbros alone, whereas at the present time they number no more than 200
because of all the forms of persecution they have suffered, the influx of thousands of settlers from Anatolia
and the establishment of ‘open prisons’ (!) on the island for prisoners serving long sentences. The Treaty of
Lausanne (which was officially signed by Turkey and has regulated Greek-Turkish relations since 1923)
provides for the right to greater self-administration for the two islands, which Turkey has never agreed to
implement.

Will the Commission state its views on the implementation of the Treaty of Lausanne by Turkey? Is it
aware of the pillaging and destruction of the cultural riches of Imbros and Tenedos? What is its position
on the religious repression and the persecution of the Christians of Imbros and Tenedos? I would ask the
Commission not to provide (cid:1) yet another (cid:1) general answer concerning the ‘need to encourage amicable
relations between Greece and Turkey’ etc.

Answer given by Mr Verheugen on behalf of the Commission

(4 November 2002)

the implementation of

fall within the
The monitoring of
competence of the Commission. However, within the framework of its assessment of the candidate
countries’ progress towards accession, the Commission monitors closely the situation of ethnic and
religious minorities and communities in Turkey. As candidate country, Turkey should comply with the
Copenhagen political criteria including the respect for human rights and protection of minorities.

the 1923 Treaty of Lausanne does not

In its Regular Report presented on 9 October 2002, the Commission has noted that non-Moslem religious
communities living in Turkey, whether recognised by the Treaty of Lausanne (namely Greeks, Armenians
and Jews) or not, have encountered problems, in particular with regard to their lack of legal personality
and property rights. There have been cases of confiscation of property and in other cases properties are at
risk.

In an effort to remedy some problems related to property rights, the reform package adopted by the
Turkish Parliament in August 2002 allows, subject to a number of conditions, certain non-Moslem
minorities to acquire, dispose of and register property.

C 11 E/12

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

15.1.2004

The Commission is aware, however, that the provisions of the reform package do not address all the
concerns of the religious minorities in relation to their property rights. In particular, some difficulties in
registering property may arise for certain minority institutions whose administration is not recognised by
the Turkish authorities. This is, reportedly, the case of several Greek Orthodox institutions, including those
in the islands of Imbros and Tenedos mentioned by the Honourable Member.

The Commission will continue to closely monitor all developments concerning the situation of minorities
in Turkey, in light of the Copenhagen political criteria.

The Commission expects Turkey to pursue its efforts to comply with the Accession Partnership priorities,
including the medium-term requirement to ‘further develop conditions for the enjoyment of freedom of …
religion’.

(2004/C 11 E/014)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2685/02

by Herbert Bösch (PSE) to the Commission

(26 September 2002)

Subject: Abolition of death penalty

Despite the worldwide trend in favour of abolishing the death penalty, the numbers of death sentences
imposed by Egyptian courts and the numbers of executions actually carried out has been steadily rising in
recent years. That is confirmed both by a UN report, which states that more than 100 executions have
been registered over a 5-year period, and by information supplied by Amnesty International to the effect
that from 1991 to 2000 more than 500 death sentences were imposed and more than 200 executions
carried out.

Does the EU Commission have at its disposal information concerning the numbers of death sentences
imposed and executions carried out in Egypt in the last five years?

Can the EU Commission forward to me any relevant data available to it?

What action will the EU take in campaigning against the growing numbers of human rights violations in
Egypt generally, and of death sentences imposed and executions carried out in particular?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(24 October 2002)

The Commission is aware of the extensive use of the death penalty in Egypt, and of the wide range of
offences for which the death penalty can be imposed. Although there is relatively little official data
available, Amnesty International figures indicate that executions in Egypt rose from 35 between 1981-
1990 to 213 between 1991-2000. In the five year period 1996-2001 Egypt sentenced 382 persons to
death and 114 executions were carried out. The Amnesty International report of June 2002 is probably the
most readily available source of information.

With respect to measures taken by the Union in defence of human rights in Egypt, the Parliament will be
aware of the Commission’s stand on individual cases brought to its attention, notably concerning the
imprisoned democracy campaigner Saad Ibrahim and the homosexual men arrested and charged in the so
called ‘queen boat affair’. In addition, the Egyptian human rights and democracy movement benefits from
support under the European Initiative for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR).

to the extensive recourse to the death penalty in Egypt,

With respect
the Union is guided by its
longstanding opposition to the death penalty within its global human rights policy which, since 1998, has
included an integral commitment to strengthen international activities in favour of the universal abolition
of the death penalty. Until such time as that goal is achieved, the Union also campaigns for is progressive
restriction and insists on the respect of minimum standards in its application.