WRITTEN QUESTION E-0516/03 by Miet Smet (PPE-DE) to the Council. Women's rights in Nigeria.
Date: 2003-02-24
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Cotonou Agreement, EU relations, Islamic law, Nigeria, death penalty, sexual mutilation, women's rights

13.3.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 65 E/33

on a partnership among all stakeholders. It provides for five main areas and 11 main actions that the
Commission and other parties should undertake. Security improvements are the main priority of the
Action Plan, which supports the introduction of the highest economically viable level of security.

Discussions on identity theft and security issues, including on the progress in the migration to chip cards
in the Union, take place regularly at the meetings of the Union Fraud Prevention Experts Group, the
steering group for the implementation of the Fraud Prevention Action Plan.

The Commission will organise in 2003 a Conference on the security of payments in the Internal Market,
with a view to improve information on the security of modern payment products and systems.

After the end of 2003, the Commission will report to the Parliament and the Council on the progress
achieved with the Fraud Prevention Action Plan and propose, if necessary, further action.

The Commission also proposed a Council Framework Decision combating fraud and counterfeiting of non-
cash means of payment, that has been adopted on 28 May 2001 (3). This text aims at ensuring that fraud
including credit cards and other cards issued by
and counterfeiting of non-cash means of payment,
financial institutions, are criminal offences in all Member States, punished by effective, proportionate and
dissuasive sanctions. Member States shall bring into force the measures necessary to comply with this
Framework Decision by 2 June 2003.

(1) www.cifas.org.uk
(2) COM(2001) 254 final.
(3) OJ L 149, 2.6.2001.

(2004/C 65 E/032)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0516/03

by Miet Smet (PPE-DE) to the Council

(24 February 2003)

Subject: Women’s rights in Nigeria

Cooperation between the EU and Nigeria 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 is stressed repeatedly by both parties.

In spite of the fact that Nigeria subscribes to these principles, the rights of women in Nigeria are not
always respected. According to AFP, there are instances of women being stoned to death in some
provinces of Nigeria. These stonings are decreed by Islamic courts which apply the Sharia. Reuters also
mentions the fact that Nigeria is one of the countries where female circumcision still frequently occurs,
particularly among the Muslim population in the North.

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 Nigeria? Is there provision for the possibility of suspending cooperation between Nigeria and the EU if
women’s rights, and human rights in general, are continually violated in Nigeria? 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 Nigeria and the EU, does this apply to all the countries which have
signed the Cotonou Agreement?

C 65 E/34

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

13.3.2004

Reply

(17 November 2003)

The EU remains concerned about the sentences of stoning to death continuing to be applied by the Sharia
Courts. The Presidency, on behalf of the European Union, has reacted to those infringements referred to by
the Honourable Member. The EU welcomed in its declaration of 27 March 2002 the acquittal of Safiya
Hussaini after being sentenced to death by stoning. The EU then followed closely the case of Amina Lawal,
also sentenced to death by stoning and expressed, in the declaration of 21 August 2002, its deep concern
about the decision of the court of appeal dismissing the appeal lodged by Amina Lawal. It will continue to
monitor developments in this case in the future.

In both these cases and in the political dialogue at HoMs level the EU continues to reiterate its position on
the death penalty and encourages the Government of Nigeria to continue to work towards the abolition of
the death penalty and the prevention of all
inhuman or degrading treatment or
punishment.

forms of cruel,

The European Union will continue to use its political dialogue with Nigeria to press for further progress in
this matter.
in
particular, human rights and human dignity with particular reference to women (1).

It urges the Nigerian authorities to fully respect

their international obligations and,

In addition, the EU attaches great importance to the role of civil society and supports in particular human
rights and other non-governmental organisations active in this area.

As pointed out in the question, cooperation between the EU and Nigeria takes place in the framework of
the ACP-EC Partnership Agreement, signed in Cotonou on 23 June 2000. Respect for all human rights and
fundamental freedoms is an essential element of this Agreement, as stipulated in Article 9. Article 96 of the
Cotonou Agreement opens the possibility for the signatories of the Agreement to engage in consultations
when a Party has failed to fulfil an obligation stemming from i.a. respect for human rights. These
consultations occur if political dialogue has failed. If consultations are refused or fail, appropriate measures
may be taken which may include the suspension of development cooperation.

(1) Barcelona European Council, 15/16 March 2002.

(2004/C 65 E/033)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0556/03

by María Izquierdo Rojo (PSE) to the Commission

(20 February 2003)

Subject: European funding and the banning of women from Mount Athos

The European Parliament has recently adopted two motions for resolutions (Swiebel and Izquierdo Rojo
reports) in which it opposed the banning of women from Mount Athos. It should also be borne in mind
that the monastery region of Mount Athos has been granted aid to restore and renovate monasteries and
preserve cultural treasures, which belong to both men and women.

Can the Commission answer the following:

1. How much European funding has been allocated for this purpose?

2. Does the Commission not take the view that it is mandatory for the acquis communautaire to be

applied, in line with the EU’s fundamental principles?

3. What European Economic Area funding mechanism has been used to benefit the region economically?

4. Under the Community support framework for Greece,

in what specific way is such aid granted
through the structural funds? What criteria have been used to define the fields of structural adjustment
and economic development?