WRITTEN QUESTION E-0086/03 by Roger Helmer (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Killing of children in Honduras.
Date: 2003-01-28
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU aid, EU relations, Honduras, child protection, cooperation policy, crime, fight against crime, public safety, street children

8.4.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 88 E/5

(2004/C 88 E/0005)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0086/03

by Roger Helmer (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(28 January 2003)

Subject: Killing of children in Honduras

Can the Commission tell me what action, if any, it can take to address the killing of children in Honduras,
following disturbing reports that 64 Honduran children and young people under the age of 23 were
murdered during the month of December 2002?

Can the Commission please detail what aid it has offered or can offer and what practical steps it is taking
or will take to stop the random murders of children and young people throughout the country, as there is
evidence that the Honduran Government has not been able to protect its nation’s children despite their
promises to do so?

(2004/C 88 E/0006)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0097/03

by Phillip Whitehead (PSE) to the Commission

(28 January 2003)

Subject: The rights of street children in Honduras and Guatemala

Despite widespread international condemnation, street children in Honduras and Guatemala continue to
live in fear of persecution. Since January 1998 at least 1450 young people have been murdered in
Honduras, 47 in October 2002 alone. Fifteen murder cases involving policemen have been given to the
special
investigative team which the Honduran Minister of Public Security set up in September.
I understand that not one of the 15 cases has reached a conviction.

Can the Commission describe what support the EU is giving to the authorities in Honduras and Guatemala
as well as other civil actors in terms of educational projects, residential programmes and job skills training
for street children in order to help them to reintegrate into society? What attempts are being made to
assist the authorities in bringing to justice those responsible for murders and harassment of street children?
Has the Commission considered pressing the authorities on the importance of campaigns to promote
tolerance within the wider community?

Joint answer
to Written Questions E-0086/03 and E-0097/03
given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(20 February 2003)

Widespread criminality continues to be of particular concern in spite of the efforts of the Honduran
Government to deploy every possible means to tackle this problem. This reflects high levels of poverty and
a lack of opportunities for the younger generations. Many of the murders of children and young people
are reported in clashes between gangs. However, there are reports accusing security officers of being
involved in some killings of children and young people, although, it has been accepted that these officers
do not act on State orders nor does the killing of street children constitute State policy.

To address this issue, the Commission is supporting: the efforts of the relevant independent bodies in
Honduras carrying out investigations on security officers allegedly involved in killings of children and
young people; and the policies aimed at reducing poverty levels and vulnerability of young people through
improved education, health and employment opportunities.

The Commission has followed closely the results of the report by United Nations special rapporteur
Jahangir and largely shares its conclusions, although the Commission is not convinced that
the
establishment of a special ombudsman for children, as proposed in the United Nations report, should be
given priority. On grounds of greater efficiency, a possible alternative would be granting increased