WRITTEN QUESTION E-0521/03 by Miet Smet (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Women's rights in Pakistan.
Date: 2003-02-24
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU relations, Pakistan, cooperation agreement (EU), cooperation policy, position of women, sexual discrimination, women's rights

C 78 E/356

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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.

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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 Pakistan? Is there provision for the possibility of suspending cooperation between Pakistan and the EU if
women’s rights, and human rights in general, are continually violated in Pakistan?

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 Pakistan and the EU, does this apply to all the countries which have
signed a similar agreement (i.e. a 3rd generation agreement containing explicit references to human rights)
with the EU?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(26 March 2003)

The Commission and Member States Embassies in Islamabad remain seriously concerned by the human
rights situation in Pakistan and continue to draw the attention of the Pakistan authorities to these issues at
every appropriate opportunity.

On 7 February 2003 the Union Troika in Islamabad carried out an official démarche to the Government
underlining Union concerns about a number of human rights related questions, including the situation of
women in Pakistan. More specifically, the démarche emphasised that some pieces of legislation, notably the
Hudood Ordinances, have an ‘obvious’ gender-biased nature. The same applies to laws on inheritance,
custody of children and rules of testimony. Individual cases were also brought to the attention of the
Government. The Union démarche also referred to practices in Pakistan that are clearly in violation of the
Constitution of Pakistan, which forbids discrimination against women. Such practices include honour
killings, difficult access to a fair trial and lack of respect for their legal security. The Member of the
Commission in charge of External Relations also raised the matter of human rights with President
Musharraf on the occasion of his visit to Islamabad last 23 May 2002.

The Commission also addresses human rights issues through its co-operation projects in the country.
Women’s rights remain a cross-cutting theme in all projects undertaken by the Commission in the social
sector such as health, education, water and sanitation. Thus, when choosing the projects and during their
implementation, the Commission pays particular attention to gender equity, women empowerment and
participation,
in particular through the European Initiative for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR)
where women’s rights remain a key concern. Furthermore, the Delegation of the Commission in Pakistan
will be able in the near future to fund directly human rights micro-projects implemented by non-
governmental organisations (NGOs), where women’s rights will be one of the priority areas.

With regard to provisions to monitor and enforce respect for women’s rights in Pakistan, the Honourable
Member may be interested to know that the Delegation of the Commission in Pakistan follows closely local
initiatives intended to address women’s issues.

Some of these can be summarised as follows:

(cid:1) Pakistan has established a National Plan of Action, which was prepared by the Ministry of Women
Development and Empowerment. A co-ordinator was also appointed to monitor the implementation
of the plan and to co-ordinate the work between the different ministries, which are asked to address
women-related issues within their own area.

(cid:1) The Government of Pakistan has also set up a National Commission for the Status of Women, which
is tasked to monitor the violations of women’s rights and report directly to the Ministry of Women
Development and Empowerment. This National Commission can also suggest
the
legislation.

reforms of

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(cid:1) There is an important number of local NGOs working in the field of women’s rights, which have
proved to be particularly well organised. They have set up the Women Action Forum (WAF), which
not only monitors the situation concerning women’s rights but also plays an advocatorial role with
the relevant authorities.

(cid:1) The new 3rd generation Co-operation Agreement which the Honourable Member is referring to was
signed with Pakistan on 24 November 2001 but has not yet entered into force. The Commission
hopes that the Agreement will offer the possibility to re-establish the full co-operation dialogue with
Pakistan, including on sensitive human rights issues. Other similar 3d generation agreements with
third countries have already opened this possibility to the Union.

(2004/C 78 E/0376)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0586/03

by Stavros Xarchakos (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(28 February 2003)

Subject: Reduction of VAT on CDs

A reduction of VAT on CDs would be a significant boost to the music industry in Europe, which is
currently plagued by piracy. A significant reduction in the price of CDs produced by record companies
would also simultaneously increase sales and government revenue for every Member State. In Greece, CDs
are in fact subject to the highest rate of VAT (18 %).

What is the Commission’s position on this subject? What measures will it take to reduce VAT in the
Member States? What are its views on the idea put forward by organisations in the music industry that the
rate should be harmonised with the VAT applying to books and cinema tickets?

Answer given by Mr Bolkestein on behalf of the Commission

(9 April 2003)

The Honourable Member is referred to the Commission’s answers to Written Questions E-1553/02 from
Mrs Angelilli (1) and E-3841/02 from Mr Veltroni (2).

(1) OJ C 28 E, 6.2.2003, p. 120.
(2) OJ C 161 E, 10.7.2003, p. 153.

(2004/C 78 E/0377)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0819/03

by Ole Krarup (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(17 March 2003)

Subject: GM crops and liability

How does the Commission assess the position in the WTO on the introduction of a liability clause for
patent holders and/or producers of GM crops in the event of GMO contamination of conventionally or
organically cultivated farmland?

More particularly, what initiatives has it taken to encourage a process at the WTO which will in the future
mean that WTO rules incorporate provisions on the liability of patent holders and/or producers of GM
crops to pay damages in the event of their product contaminating conventionally or organically cultivated
crops?