WRITTEN QUESTION E-0170/03 by Bob van den Bos (ELDR) to the Commission. Bangladesh.
Date: 2003-01-29
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Bangladesh, EU relations, armed forces, cooperation agreement (EU), human rights, public order

C 88 E/590

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

8.4.2004

constraints, but to adapt conditions to different circumstances. This is what has been done in the draft
decision of 16 December 2002 (1), which contains minimal safeguards against trade diversion and which,
moreover, specifies (as proposed by the Union) that such measures should be proportionate to the
administrative capacities of the countries concerned. This arrangement, which has been endorsed by all
World Trade Organisation (WTO) Members (minus one), and which would effectively allow countries
without manufacturing capacities to benefit from compulsory licences, fully respects the spirit of the Doha
Declaration.

As the Honourable Member knows, the Union fully endorsed the 16 December 2002 text, including its
disease scope by reference to paragraph 1 of the Doha Declaration. The Commission regrets that the
United States did not join the consensus and the Union will continue its efforts in order to secure a
multilateral solution as soon as possible. It cannot accept that these negotiations end in failure. WTO
Members have taken the commitment in Doha to find a multilateral solution, so this commitment must be
upheld. To this effect, the Union has recently taken the initiative to propose recourse to the World Health
Organisation in order to guarantee flexibility in applying the system, in line with the scope of the Doha
Declaration.

(1) Draft Decision of the President of the TRIPs Council of the WTO (Reference: JOB (02) 217).

(2004/C 88 E/0602)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0170/03

by Bob van den Bos (ELDR) to the Commission

(29 January 2003)

Subject: Bangladesh

On 21 November 2002 the European Parliament adopted an urgent resolution on Bangladesh following
reports of alleged violations of human rights committed under the Bangladesh military’s ‘Operation Clean
Heart’ and an apparently deteriorating human rights situation in that country.

In the European Parliament resolution, we call on the Commission to ‘engage with the Government of
Bangladesh under the EU-Bangladesh Cooperation Agreement to ensure that violations stop (and) human
rights are protected’. Can the Commission inform us what action it has taken so far in that respect?

What (other) initiatives is it planning to take in order to encourage the Government of Bangladesh to
protect human rights in its country?

(2004/C 88 E/0603)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0242/03

by Nirj Deva (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(4 February 2003)

Subject: Human rights in Bangladesh

Is it correct that the Government of Bangladesh since the 2001 elections has instigated a regime of terror?
It is alleged by Amnesty International amongst others that assassinations have become common, freedom
of the press has been curtailed and the army has been given indemnity from prosecution for its actions
during Operation Clean Heart (16 October 2002 to 9 January 2003).

What does the Commission propose to do to ensure that this indemnity is stopped and that those who are
accused of gross human rights violations are brought to justice?