WRITTEN QUESTION E-2685/02 by Herbert Bösch (PSE) to the Commission. Abolition of death penalty.
Date: 2002-09-26
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU relations, Egypt, death penalty, human rights, the EU's international role

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.

15.1.2004

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Official Journal of the European Union

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The Union strongly lobbies against the death penalty in international fora and supports non-governmental
organisations that work for the same objective through the EIDHR. The policy to push for universal
abolition is pursued globally and raised in dialogues with all third countries, which retain it, including
Egypt.

(2004/C 11 E/015)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2704/02

by Charles Tannock (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(26 September 2002)

Subject: Persecution by the Burmese authorities

There are persistent reports of persecution of minority ethnic groups living in jungle areas by the Burmese
authorities, and especially of
the Karen Christians and the Shan people. This persecution includes
systematic rape and murder. On Boxing Day, last year there was an attack on Ler Per Hur camp for
internally displaced Karen people inside Burma which resulted in 300 people fleeing for their safety to
Thailand. In February, it was reported that Burmese troops from Infantry Battalion 246 executed three
farmers who had been making their way to their farm outside Saai Khaao village in Kun Hing township. In
May, it was reported that troops from the Light Infantry Battalion 559 executed ten Karen villagers in
Mukwa village.

Some of these groups are believed to have been involved at certain periods in drug-smuggling, although
there are now reports that some of the Shah tribesmen have been targeted because they have recently
begun to try to prevent illicit exports of amphetamine tablets to Thailand which have been taking place
with the active collusion of the Burmese military.

It is obviously difficult for the European Union to verify individual incidents, but can the Commission
confirm that systematic persecution of this kind is taking place on a regular basis, and, if so, what efforts
the Commission has made to improve the regime’s human rights record?

Can the Commission confirm that the Burmese military is playing a part in smuggling amphetamine
tablets to Thailand? Does the Commission have evidence that the Burmese Government is involved in
heroin trafficking?

What is the extent of the trading relationship between Burma and the European Union? Could the
Commission indicate what economic assistance the European Union offers to Burma?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(16 October 2002)

As has been stated on several occasions, the Commission is deeply concerned about the situation in
Burma/Myanmar and the damage the military regime is causing to the country and to its future, as well as
the negative effects of their policies on the region, such as drug trafficking and an increasingly difficult
refugee situation.

The Commission is aware of reports of alleged persecutions of ethnic minority groups by the military in
Burma/Myanmar and continuously voices its grave concern for the human rights situation in the country,
particularly in ethnic minority areas. During the recent Union Troika visit to Burma/Myanmar these
concerns were, once again, expressed to the Burmese government. The Commission also regularly makes
its preoccupations known to Burma’s partners in the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN).

The Commission is also aware of allegations that the regime has been involved in drug trafficking although
these naturally are hard to verify.