WRITTEN QUESTION E-0182/03 by Miet Smet (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Women's rights in Iran.
Date: 2003-01-30
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Iran, cooperation agreement (EU), human rights, negotiation of an agreement (EU), sexual discrimination, trade agreement (EU), women's rights

3.4.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 84 E/713

What concrete steps will the Commission undertake to implement and enforce fully the so-called ‘human
rights clause’ contained in all bilateral and multilateral cooperation agreements signed with Cambodia as
well as with other concerned countries in the region?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(20 February 2003)

The Voice of America and Radio Free Asia programmes can still be received in parts of Cambodia as they
are broadcast from outside the country but the retransmission of these programmes through Radio Beehive
ended in December 2002.

The Union has on several occasions raised its concerns regarding the right
information on the occasion of the National Assembly elections in July 2003.

for balanced and free

The European Election Observation Mission to the Cambodian Commune Council Elections in 2002
concluded that there was a lack of clear media guidelines and that electronic media offered coverage with a
strong bias in favour of the Government and the Cambodian People’s Party.

Following up on the recommendations made by the Election Observation Mission, the Commission is
providing technical assistance as regards public relations and communication to the National Election
Committee. The aim of this assistance is to increase the transparency of the electoral process and to
improve information to voters. The Community, together with the United Nations Development Program
(UNDP), is also providing technical assistance for the establishment of improved media guidelines and a
code of conduct for journalists.

The Commission has an open and frank dialogue with Cambodian authorities on human rights issues, in
the Joint Committee meetings established under the Co-operation Agreement between the European
Community and Cambodia and in other bilateral contacts. This is also the case for other countries with
bilateral co-operation agreements in Southeast Asia.

While issues of concern in the field of human rights remain in some of these countries, the Commission is
of the opinion that the best way to improve the situation is through an open and constructive dialogue.

As regards Cambodia, additional Community funds to non-governmental organisations (NGOs) active in
the field of human rights have also been made available through the European Initiative for Democracy
and Human Rights (EIDHR).

While ‘Freedom of expression and independent media’ has been identified as a priority in other Southeast
Asian countries, such as Indonesia, the priorities retained for Cambodia were: Human rights education and
training, with a particular emphasis on gender and the right of the child; Improved access to the legal
system; Conflict prevention and resolution and Fight against impunity.

(2004/C 84 E/0801)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0182/03

by Miet Smet (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(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.

C 84 E/714

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

3.4.2004

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?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(10 March 2003)

The negotiations with Iran on a Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) are linked to negotiations on
political dialogue and counter-terrorism. This is in line with the political package defined by the General
Affairs and External Relations Council in June and formally adopted on 12 July 2002. In accordance with
the relevant praxis regarding Community Agreements the Council has decided that this TCA shall contain
a standard Human Rights clause, which in case of grave violations would entail appropriate measures.

As the Honourable Member points out, a specific Union-Iran Human Rights dialogue was launched in
Tehran 16/17 December 2002, based on the Council conclusions of 21 October 2002. This dialogue takes
the form of a restricted session at governmental level, led by the Troïka on the Union side and addresses
all Human Rights issues of concern. It is complemented by a round-table involving Union and Iranian civil
society representatives. Two major themes were addressed during the round-table held in December 2002:
discrimination (including discrimination against women) and prevention of
regards
discrimination against women, the Union made clear that it regarded Iran’s accession to the relevant
international convention (CEDAW), which Iran is currently studying, would be a very important step. The
same approach was followed for the invitations by Iran of United Nations thematic rapporteurs, including
the one on violence against women, scheduled to visit Iran in 2003.

torture. As

The emerging Human Rights dialogue has been launched without pre-conditions, but it is to be regularly
assessed through the use of benchmarks. The dialogue also feeds into the semi-annual EU-Iran
Comprehensive Dialogue meetings which are ongoing since 1998.

The Commission has been informed (cid:1) in connection with the Human Rights dialogue in December 2002
as well as during the visit of the Member of the Commission responsible for External relations to Iran
3/5 February 2003 (cid:1) that a moratorium on stoning is in effect since late 2002.

(2004/C 84 E/0802)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0199/03

by Margot Keßler (PSE) to the Commission

(3 February 2003)

Subject: Western Sahara (cid:1) Visit of European Parliament Ad Hoc Delegation (cid:1) Human Rights

The European Parliament Ad Hoc Delegation for the Western Sahara visited Laayoune, the capital of this
non-self-governing territory, on 12 March 2002. A meeting with members of the civil society, including
Saharawi human rights activists, was held in Laayoune Parador Hotel.

The meeting took place at the request of the European Delegation, which raised the question of the safety
of the civil society members. The Delegation chair, Catherine Lalumiere MEP, promised to give every
guarantee that
the participants in the meeting would not undergo intimidation by the Moroccan
authorities following this meeting. After their meeting with the MEPs, the president and a large number of