WRITTEN QUESTION E-0426/03 by Anna Karamanou (PSE) to the Commission. Violation of human rights in Chechnya.
Date: 2003-02-18
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU relations, OSCE, Russia, civilian victim, human rights, international relations, regional security, war of independence

27.3.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 78 E/355

In Portugal the use of such a card in order to draw money attracts no charge, yet the act of drawing
EUR 100 in Brussels (for example)
incurs EUR 1,83 in commission paid to third parties, EUR 3 in
commission paid to the Portuguese bank which issued to the card and EUR 0,19 in stamp duty.

Can the Commission answer the following:

(cid:1) given that Regulation (EC) No 2560/2001 exists, is such a situation legal;

(cid:1) is it possible for two separate bank commissions to be levied in respect of one and the same

transaction;

(cid:1) if such a practice is illegal, what sanctions can be imposed (and by whom?) on the perpetrators

thereof?

(1) OJ L 344, 28.12.2001, p. 13.

Answer given by Mr Bolkestein on behalf of the Commission

(11 March 2003)

Regulation (EC) No 2560/2001 (1) establishes the principle of equality of charges between national
payments and cross-border payments in euro. This applies to electronic payment transactions in euro up
to EUR 12 500 as of 1 July 2002 and will apply to credit transfers from 1 July 2003 onwards.

Article 3 of the Regulation specifies that charges for cross border payments have to be the same as those
for ‘corresponding national payments’. This means that, if one takes the example of a debit card, the same
charges shall apply to a payment made in the Member State where the issuing bank is located and a
payment made in another Member State.

In the case of a multi-functional card (e.g. both credit and debit operations are possible) the reasoning is
the same. For the same function (e.g. debit or credit), the use of such a card should attract the same
charges as those in the Member State where it has been issued. However, the Honourable Member does
not give sufficient information in order to establish whether, in this case, there is an incorrect application
of the Regulation.

In case of non-respect of the Regulation, Article 7 foresees that there should be ‘effective, proportionate
and deterrent’ sanctions, which naturally have to be applied by the national bodies having such
competence. As regards the competent body in Portugal, the Commission has requested this information
but has not yet received a reply.

(1) Regulation (EC) No 2560/2001 of the Parliament and of the Council of 19 December 2001 on cross-border

payments in euro.

(2004/C 78 E/0374)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0426/03

by Anna Karamanou (PSE) to the Commission

(18 February 2003)

Subject: Violation of human rights in Chechnya

With a Council of Europe resolution on Chechnya in view, three international organisations have made a
joint statement calling on the Council of Europe to consider the following issues:

(cid:1) the fact that those responsible for acts of violence against civilians on both sides have not been called

to account or brought to justice,

(cid:1) the practice of both sides in the conflict of making targets of civilians in violation of international

humanitarian law,

C 78 E/356

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

27.3.2004

(cid:1) the Russian Government’s suspension of the OSCE support group in Chechnya on 31 December 2002
and the continued refusal to publish the reports by the European Commission for the Prevention of
Torture on the situation in the Russian Federation.

take towards
Does the Commission concur with the above statements and what measures will
safeguarding human rights in the region and, in particular, lifting the ban on the access of international
observers to Chechnya and putting an end to the lack of transparency surrounding the information
available concerning violations?

it

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(19 March 2003)

The Commission is concerned at the current situation in the north Caucasus. There are continued reports
of human rights abuses in Chechnya and reprisals against civilians by Russian armed forces and their
Chechen allies, as well as rebels.

The Commission underlines that the implementation of shared values in the fields of democracy and
human rights underpin the Union-Russia Agreement on Partnership and Cooperation and are central
elements in the Union-Russia partnership. The Commission promotes respect for human rights and
democracy in Russia through a number of projects that are financed under the European Initiative for
Democracy and Human Rights. These activities are implemented in cooperation with civil society and
international organisations. The Tacis programme is also active in this domain.

In the north Caucasus, there is a specific joint programme between the Commission and the Council of
Europe to promote pluralist democracy and the rule of law.

The Commission will continue to raise the issue of respect for human rights within the framework of the
Union’s bilateral political dialogue with Russia. While the Commission condemns terrorism in all its forms,
it will continue to press Russia to investigate all allegations of human rights abuses in a prompt,
independent and impartial manner. Those responsible should be prosecuted. The Commission also hopes
that Russia will permit publication of the Council of Europe report on torture in Chechnya and allow the
United Nations’ rapporteurs on torture and on summary executions to report on the situation.

The Commission regrets Russia’s decision not to extend the mandate of the Organisation for Security and
Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Assistance Group. The Commission believes that it is in the interest of
Russia to maintain a continued OSCE field presence in Chechnya with a meaningful mandate. It therefore
supports the Dutch OSCE chairman in office’s attempts to engage Russia to make progress on this matter.

(2004/C 78 E/0375)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0521/03

by Miet Smet (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(24 February 2003)

Subject: Women’s rights in Pakistan

In 2001 the European Union and Pakistan signed a cooperation agreement. Article 1 of that agreement
contains a clause relating to respect for human rights and democratic principles.

In spite of the fact that Pakistan subscribes to these principles, the rights of women in Pakistan are not
always respected. AFP, Reuters and the New York Times report that some Pakistani women have been the
victims of violence as a result of blood feuds, including rape, burning, murder etc. Blood feuds can be
decreed by local councils.