WRITTEN QUESTION E-0181/03 by Miet Smet (PPE-DE) to the Council. Women's rights in Iran.
Date: 2003-01-30
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Iran, negotiation of an agreement (EU), position of women, trade agreement (EU), women's rights

18.9.2003

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 222 E/159

2. Most recently, on 23 December, the Presidency reiterated the EU’s position in a declaration:

The European Union continues to follow with increasing attention and concern the developments of
the internal situation in Venezuela.

The European Union welcomes the adoption by the Permanent Council of the OAS resolution 833 in
support for the democratic institutional structures in Venezuela and the facilitation efforts of the OAS
Secretary General.

In this connection the European Union expresses its strong support to the efforts of the Secretary
General of the OAS to build the conditions for dialogue and national reconciliation.

The European Union urges the institutions and people of Venezuela to seek a peaceful and
constitutional solution to the crisis in order to allow the country to re-establish a stable internal
situation that may lead to a process of economic progress and social development, in a framework of
full respect of democratic principles and rules of law.

3.
In its resolution of 17 December, the OAS Permanent Council urged all Parties to preserve the free
exercise of the essential elements of democracy to favour a constitutional, democratic, peaceful and
electoral solution.

On 21 January, the EU has welcomed ‘the establishment of the Group of Friends of Venezuela’ (Brazil,
Chile, Mexico, Portugal, Spain and USA) announced in Quito on 15 January by the Secretary General of
the OAS.

The EU expresses its full support for the contribution the Group of Friends can offer in fostering a viable
solution to the crisis in Venezuela along the objectives set by the OAS resolution 833, in particular a
peaceful, democratic, constitutional and electoral solution to the crisis.

The EU considers that the Secretary General of the OAS has (cid:1) through the Group of Friends (cid:1) an
additional valuable instrument
for genuine dialogue and
reconciliation.

to build the conditions

in his efforts

4.

The EU continues to monitor closely the evolution of the situation in Venezuela.

(2003/C 222 E/184)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0181/03

by Miet Smet (PPE-DE) to the Council

(30 January 2003)

Subject: Women’s rights in Iran

Despite major violations of women’s rights (cid:1) discrimination, stonings, torture, etc. (cid:1), on 12 December
2002 the European Union began negotiations with Iran on the conclusion of a trade and cooperation
agreement. Given the importance Europe attaches to promoting and protecting human rights and
fundamental freedoms, the EU plans to incorporate a human rights clause in this trade and cooperation
agreement.

A European troika paid a visit to Iran on 16/17 December 2002 in connection with the launching of the
human rights dialogue between the EU and Iran. According to a press release from the Danish Presidency,
the dialogue took place in an open and constructive atmosphere. Is there a connection between the troika
visit and the Iranian government’s decision to issue an invitation to a UN Special Rapporteur on violence
against women?

The European Parliament has always called for pressure to be exerted to ensure that women’s rights are
respected whenever agreements are concluded between the EU and third countries. A human rights clause
is to be included in the agreement with Iran. To what extent will this clause also lay down stringent
conditions in the area of women’s rights? How will the EU be able to monitor and enforce compliance
with this clause? Will the possibility of suspending the agreement if Iran should fail to respect women’s
rights, or human rights in general, also be built in?

C 222 E/160

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

18.9.2003

Reply

(13 May 2003)

Like the Honourable Parliamentarian, the Council is also committed to promoting human rights, including
the rights of women, in Iran. In its conclusions of 17 June 2002, when reaching political agreement on the
opening of negotiations on a Trade and Cooperation Agreement with Iran, the Council said that it
expected that
trade and economic relations be matched by significant positive
developments in Iran in a number of areas, notably human rights. The other areas were non-proliferation,
counter-terrorism and the Middle East Peace Process. The Council furthermore announced, that it would
follow progress in these areas.

the deepening of

As in all agreements with third countries, the EU will insert a human rights clause in the Trade and
Cooperation Agreement with Iran. The negotiating directives approved by the Council confirmed the
established policy consisting in placing the human rights clause among the so-called essential elements of
the agreement, with the consequence that a breach of the clause could mean immediate denunciation of
the entire agreement.

(2003/C 222 E/185)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0188/03

by Luciana Sbarbati (ELDR) to the Commission

(31 January 2003)

Subject: Construction of tourist villages on the coast to the south of Syracuse

Two tourist villages, with a capacity of 1 550 and 1 200, are planned in the Asparano and Ognina areas of
the province of Syracuse in Italy.

In its 1999 decision in Case C-435/97, the Court of Justice ruled that Member States do not have the
power either to exclude or to exempt from the environmental impact assessment procedure projects likely
to have significant effects on the environment by virtue of their nature, size or location.

With regard to Directives 85/33/EEC (1) and 97/11/EC (2) concerning the assessment of the effects of
certain public and private projects on the environment, 92/43/EEC (3) on the conservation of natural and
semi-natural habitats, and of wild flora and fauna, and 79/409/EC (4) on the conservation of wild birds, can
the Commission answer the following questions:

(cid:1) Do these projects enjoy part-financing from the Structural Funds?

(cid:1) Will the environmental impact procedure be applied to the whole project and will account be taken of

the damage caused by the completed works?

(cid:1) If the Commission establishes non-compliance with the obligations laid down by Community law, can

it ensure that the necessary measures are taken to restore the sites?

(1) OJ L 175, 5.7.1985, p. 40.
(2) OJ L 73, 14.3.1997, p. 5.
(3) OJ L 206, 22.7.1992, p. 7.
(4) OJ L 103, 25.4.1979, p. 1.

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(11 March 2003)

The Commission has the task of ensuring the correct application of Community law, in the light of the
powers conferred on it by the EC Treaty. As the guardian of the EC Treaty, it does not hesitate to take all
necessary measures, including infringement procedures under Article 226 of the EC Treaty, in order to
ensure the observance of Community law.