WRITTEN QUESTION E-3412/02 by Glyn Ford (PSE) to the Council. Christian groups in Pakistan.
Date: 2002-11-29
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Christian, EU relations, Pakistan, democratisation, freedom of religious beliefs, human rights, national election, religious group

C 222 E/68

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

18.9.2003

On 19 June 2001 the Agriculture Council in conclusions invited the Commission ‘to analyse the possibility
of a European Union action plan to promote organic food and farming and present appropriate proposals’.

The Commission began its work in April 2002 and drew up a working document containing the outcome
of the reflections of a group of experts and of an interdepartmental working group. The experts’ group was
widely representative of the stakeholders, both public and private, in the organic farming sector.

The working document is to be presented to the Agriculture Council. The Commission envisages its being
followed by in-depth consultation of the Member States and the sector to devise a European action plan
incorporating a working programme for the coming years and a commitment to launch specific proposals
and determine priorities.

Working out of the plan will however be dependent on the outcome of the Council’s discussion of the
working document.

(2003/C 222 E/076)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3412/02

by Glyn Ford (PSE) to the Council

(29 November 2002)

Subject: Christian groups in Pakistan

Has the Council made representations to the Government of Pakistan in order to respond to the plight of
certain Christian groups in Pakistan?

If not, does it intend to do so?

Reply

(5 and 6 May 2003)

1.
The Council has repeatedly underlined the importance of freedom of religion as a fundamental
human right. Human rights are an essential part of the EU’s political dialogue with all countries, including
Pakistan.

2.
The EU has noted the incidents of violence against Christians as well as institutions belonging to the
Christian community in Pakistan. These include the attack on the Murree Christian School and the Taxila
Christian Hospital in August 2002, the Christian welfare organisation in Karachi in September 2002 which
caused the death of six people and, most recently, an attack on a Protestant church in Daska, near Lahore,
on 25 December 2002 following which four women died.

On several occasions the EU has raised its concerns about the situation of Christians in Pakistan with
the European Union issued

3.
the Pakistan authorities. On 7 August 2002 and 25 September 2002,
declarations deploring the attack on Christian institutions.

4.
The Council would remind the Honourable Member that in the declaration by the Presidency on
behalf of the European Union on the election of the new Prime Minister of Pakistan the European Union
stressed that it would carefully monitor the transfer of power to a civilian administration within the time
frame laid down in the Pakistani authorities’ roadmap to democracy and voiced once again the hope that
all the Parties and political forces would work together to achieve good governance and functioning
democratic institutions. It also looked forward to cooperation with the new Pakistani Government on all
issues of mutual interest, including the fight against terrorism.

5.
In line with its guiding principles of respect for fundamental rights, and in particular freedom of
thought, conscience and religion as referred to in Article 10 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the
European Union, the EU will continue to pay close attention to the situation of Christians in Pakistan, and
will, if necessary, raise the various problems with the Pakistani Government.