WRITTEN QUESTION E-0515/03 by Miet Smet (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Women's rights in Egypt.
Date: 2003-02-24
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU relations, Egypt, Union for the Mediterranean, association agreement (EU), divorce, economic sanctions, sexual discrimination, sexual mutilation, women's rights

6.2.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 33 E/45

The event will include a variety of celebrations, involving complex organisational arrangements, which will
focus not only on the United States but also on those countries, such as Italy, which have made a special
contribution to the history of aviation.

The Aero Club di Latina initiative is intended to be one of the most significant events not only because of
its historical and commemorative value, but also on account of its decision to fly towards Eastern Europe
and the capitals of countries which will shortly join the European Union, as a welcoming gesture to these
countries and a sign of interest and openness on the part of the Member States.

The cruise’s stopping points will be the major cities of the forthcoming and future enlargement countries,
i.e. Istanbul, Odessa, Budapest, Sofia, Burgas, Arad, Bucharest, Zagreb and Zara. Participants will thus have
an opportunity to visit and become more familiar with some of the most significant aspects of Eastern
European culture, which is due increasingly to become a part of EU culture.

In view of the project’s special relevance, in particular with a view to Eastern Europe’s cultural and social
integration, and given that the EU has set up a wide range of funding programmes for this very purpose,
including Sapard,
the Commission provide the
following information:

ISPA and many others for small-scale projects, will

1. would the above project be eligible for EU funding through any of these programmes?

2.

can the EU sponsor the operation in any other way?

Answer given by Mr Verheugen on behalf of the Commission

(26 March 2003)

The programmes referred to by the Honourable Member (Sapard, ISPA) are pre-accession instruments
covering investment in transport and environment infrastructures, and in the agricultural and rural
development sectors. Under
the Phare instruments, no other possibilities exist. As to the Prince
programme, it has to be dedicated in priority to the information needs of the citizens of the present
Union.
It must be added that no project can be financed outside an existing programme with a
corresponding budget line.

To the knowledge of the Commission, there is at present no programme allowing to finance such project.

At the present stage of the project and its content, the Commission considers that commemorating this
is therefore a matter for the associations and organisations in the private sector related to
event
aeronautics.

The Commission, in handling requests of this nature, recalls that pre-accession assistance available for the
benefit of the candidate countries is not intended to be tailored to projects originating outside the
candidate countries which have no bearing on their pre-accession needs.

(2004/C 33 E/043)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0515/03

by Miet Smet (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(24 February 2003)

Subject: Women’s rights in Egypt

Cooperation between the European Union and Egypt is based on the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership. This
partnership builds on the Barcelona Declaration, which was signed by the Member States of the EU and
the 12 partner countries from the Mediterranean region. In 2001 the EU and Egypt signed an association
agreement.

C 33 E/46

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

6.2.2004

In spite of the fact that both the Barcelona Declaration and the association agreement with Egypt refer to
human rights, women’s rights in Egypt are not always respected. AFP has reported instances of genital
mutilation of Egyptian women, and of discriminatory legislation, e.g. with regard to divorce.

Has the EU yet reacted to these grave infringements of women’s rights? If not, does it intend to do so?

Is there any provision for a mechanism to systematically monitor and enforce respect for women’s rights
in Egypt? Is there provision for the possibility of suspending cooperation between Egypt and the EU if
women’s rights, and human rights in general, are continually violated in Egypt? If not, will the EU make
provision in future for such possibilities?

If there is provision for the monitoring and enforcement of respect for human rights and for the possible
suspension of cooperation between Egypt and the EU, does this apply to all the countries which have
signed an association agreement with the EU in the framework of the Barcelona Declaration?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(25 March 2003)

Egypt has ratified the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women and
the United Nations (UN) Convention on the Rights of the Child. Women’s rights are also covered by the
Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) which defines the respect of democratic principles and
fundamental human rights which, constitutes an essential element of
the Union-Egypt Association
Agreement (signed in June 2001 and now in the process of ratification).

Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is illegal in Egypt and the practice of FGM in any government medical
facility and by all medical personnel was banned in 1996 by decree. Although proponents of FGM
temporarily overturned the ban in the courts, the government successfully re-imposed it. However the
practice, largely imposed by families on their female children, is endemic and remains deeply rooted in the
culture. Between 80-90 % of all Egyptian women of all religions, regions and class have been genitally
mutilated. This is not only a gender issue but also a serious assault on the rights of the child. The Egyptian
Government seems to remain committed to combating FGM through law and through actions to change
attitudes through education, advocacy and support to civil society initiatives (cid:1) and many senior political
and religious figures are associated with the campaign. The European Union is supporting this approach
through its programmes in reproductive and basic health and its co-financing of relevant civil society
initiates (one of the specifically campaigns against FGM; and another one supports the registration of
women voters).

With respect to divorce, the situation is much improved since 2000. Women can now end marriages
unilaterally although only if they give up their rights to financial support. Other discriminatory aspects of
family law, both secular and Islamic, are being slowly tackled, but many inequalities remain. One of the
most contentious issues concerns the nationality laws which deny Egyptian nationality to children born to
Egyptian mothers and non-Egyptian fathers. Literacy amongst girls, and access to further education and
health facilities by girls and young women is also improving slowly and the Union strongly supports this
process through its existing programmes in basic health and basic education, and in its planned
programmes in vocational training, regional development, and support to non-governmental organisations
(NGOs) working with the most socially vulnerable.

the
including women’s rights,
The enforcement of human rights,
Government of Egypt, the Egyptian Parliament and of the judiciary. But the Commission’s Delegation and
Member State Embassies in Cairo, together with many others, systematically monitor the state of human
rights in Egypt and make representations to the Egyptian authorities through the appropriate channels
whenever necessary. The Union does so regularly in support of individual cases. And it also actively
supports Egyptian civil society organisations campaigning for civil rights.

is the responsibility of

in Egypt

6.2.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 33 E/47

In line with all Association Agreements signed with the Mediterranean Partners, the EU-Egypt Association
Agreement provides for a structured and regular political dialogue. This will be an important additional
forum for both parties to discus a range of important issues of common interest, including democratic and
human rights. Respect for democratic principles and fundamental human rights is explicitly identified in
the Agreement as an essential element. The Association Agreement also contains provisions for either
party to take measures in the event of a material breach of the Agreement.

(2004/C 33 E/044)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0519/03

by Miet Smet (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(24 February 2003)

Subject: Women’s rights in Kenya

Cooperation between the EU and Kenya takes place on the basis of ACP-EU partnership. In the Cotonou
Agreement, which outlines the general framework for ACP-EU relations for the next 20 years, respect for
human rights and the equality of women and men are stressed repeatedly by both parties.

In spite of the fact that Kenya subscribes to these principles, the rights of women in Kenya are not always
respected. According to Agencia EFE, the genital mutilation of girls and women in Kenya is still practised
on a large scale.

Has the EU yet reacted to these grave infringements of women’s rights? If not, does it intend to do so?

Is there any provision for a mechanism to systematically monitor and enforce respect for women’s rights
in Kenya? Is there provision for the possibility of suspending cooperation between Kenya and the EU if
women’s rights, and human rights in general, are continually violated in Kenya?

If not, will the EU make provision in future for such possibilities?

If there is provision for the monitoring and enforcement of respect for human rights and for the possible
suspension of cooperation between Kenya and the EU, does this apply to all the countries which have
signed the Cotonou Agreement?

Answer given by Mr Nielson on behalf of the Commission

(4 April 2003)

The Commission has brought up the question of human rights and women’s rights specifically with the
Government of Kenya on various occasions, including the issue of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). The
Commission is also assisting civil society initiatives with regard to women rights and women’s involvement
in political decision making while supporting a specific project focussing on FGM prevention in the Kisii
district.

The Commission will continue to support adequate measures to ensure progress on human rights,
including women’s rights and the eradication of FGM practices.

In particular, the Union is proposing to reinforce political dialogue with the newly elected Kenyan
Government focussing, inter alia, on human rights. The Commission will also continue to bring up human
rights issues, including gender issues, in the appropriate fora, including in the context of the dialogue with
Non-State Actors who monitor and enforce women’s rights.

Moreover, to monitor the situation, the Commission also relies on international initiatives, in particular the
Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) to which Kenya must submit
regular reports.