WRITTEN QUESTION E-3736/02 by Olivier Dupuis (NI) to the Commission. The case of Mr Fang Jue.
Date: 2002-12-19
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: China, EU relations, cruel and degrading treatment, forced disappearance, freedom of expression, fundamental rights, human rights

3.7.2003

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 155 E/181

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(16 January 2003)

The Commission can confirm that it has received a copy of the recent statement of the Royal Institute of
Navigation on Global navigation satellite system (GNSS) vulnerability.

The Commission has well taken note of the recommendations of the Report by the US Volpe National
Transportation Research Centre.

From the initial phase, the Galileo design took account of the potential threats. The Galileo security board
is overseeing the Galileo design in a way to accommodate any security or safety concerns.

The system is designed as to minimize the potential vulnerability, notably with the following features:

(cid:1) Galileo will transmit all its services on a variety of different and separated frequencies thus eliminating
most of the concerns expressed in the Volpe report. In this respect, Galileo will be far less vulnerable
than the current single frequency GPS system;

(cid:1) it will offer multi-frequency signals for civilian users much earlier than currently envisaged for Global

positioning system (GPS) thus providing the user with a reliable radionavigation service.

The Commission notes that not only the Galileo system but all navigation and communication systems
using radio wave technology are, in principal, subject to interference and vulnerability. The necessity for
appropriate and adequate alternative systems need to be assessed on a case by case basis by the relevant
user community. It needs to be noted that currently most radionavigation services are being used without
an alternative radio-navigation system. The Commission will assess the necessity of an optimal mix of
radionavigation systems for Europe within the establishment of a European Radionavigation Plan in 2003.

(2003/C 155 E/201)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3736/02

by Olivier Dupuis (NI) to the Commission

(19 December 2002)

Subject: The case of Mr Fang Jue

Fang Jue, former vice-chairman of the party’s Planning Committee for the southern province of Fujian and
government official until the mid-nineties, published a long article in the Western press in January 1998
entitled ‘China Needs A New Transformation’ (democrats’ proposals for a framework of reforms). This
article, which bore not only Mr Fang’s signature but those of around 30 high-level officials and party
members, set out a moderate plan for constitutional reform, which would allow a gradual movement
towards a truly democratic system.

On 23 July 1998, Fang Jue was kidnapped by the police. His family only learnt of his whereabouts on
28 September that year. Until 28 July 1999 he remained in a 36 m2 cell with some 25 ordinary prisoners
and no contact with the outside world. Mr Fang was finally sentenced to four years’ imprisonment for
‘illegal business practices’, under the pretext that he had set up a business enterprise without a licence, the
real reason for his incarceration not being cited. Since his sentencing, the Chinese authorities have
subjected him to harsh and humiliating treatment,
including placing him in solitary confinement for
25 days (when the legal limit is a maximum of 15 days) in a cell measuring 2 m2 and with no mattress,
chair, blanket or heating; this was during December 2000 and January 2001, with temperatures as low as
− 17 °C. On top of this, he was not allowed to wash, change his underwear, shave or comb his hair. These
and other forms of ill-treatment were inflicted in order to force him to admit his guilt and ‘reform his way
of thinking’. After his release from this hell on 22 July 2002, Fang Jue was again arrested in Beijing on
20 October, a few days before the opening of the 16th Congress and he has not been seen since
4 November.

C 155 E/182

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

3.7.2003

Is the Commission aware of the strange and unexplained disappearance of Mr Fang? What steps has it
taken to obtain precise information from Beijing on Mr Fang’s fate?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(16 January 2003)

The Commission is aware that Mr Fang Jue has disappeared since 4 November 2002.

The Commission shares the Honourable Member’s concern regarding the disappearance of Mr Fang Jue. He
was therefore included on the Union’s list of individual cases of concern that was handed over to the
Chinese authorities in the framework of our last human rights dialogue in Beijing on 13/14 November
2002. Given that the Chinese authorities have not yet provided an answer on this particular case, the
Union reiterated its concern over the case, requesting more information during a contact with the Chinese
authorities in December 2002.

The Union will continue to follow the individual case of Mr Fan Jue with close attention. In general, the
Commission will continue to closely monitor the Chinese government’s respect for freedom of expression
and belief, and will continue to express concern about violations of this fundamental right.

(2003/C 155 E/202)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3747/02

by Cristiana Muscardini (UEN) to the Commission

(20 December 2002)

Subject: HPV test: a privilege?

In June 2002 the European Parliament granted approval for reimbursement of the expenditure incurred by
its staff in having the human papilloma virus (HPV) test carried out. The virus is a recognised cause of
tumours in the cervix and Parliament’s decision followed on from a similar one taken by the Commission,
pursuant to which its staff are entitled to 85 % reimbursement of the cost of an HPV test.

Such tumours are the only ones which are treatable in 100 % of cases, provided that they are diagnosed
early enough. It is apparent from recent data that infections from the papilloma virus are on the increase
and that cervical cancer is the most widespread viral sexually transmitted disease. In Europe, that disease is
the second most common form of cancer in women.

Will the Commission state the reasons which prompted it to delay publication of its recommendations on
cancer screening? If it is true that Europe is the home of protected rights, why does the Commission not
think that the test should be made available to all women in the EU instead of being guarded as a privilege
solely for the female staff of the EU institutions?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(20 February 2003)

The Commission, as indicated in its Work Programme, is in the process of preparing a proposal for a
Council Recommendation on Cancer Screening which is based on Article 152 of the EC Treaty. It is based
on the work of the expert committee on cancer prevention and the European cancer screening networks,
and they are expected to be ready in March 2003. The Presidency has put this Recommendation on the
agenda of the Health Council 2/3 June 2003.