WRITTEN QUESTION E-0514/03 by Miet Smet (PPE-DE) to the Council. Women's rights in Egypt.
Date: 2003-02-24
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU relations, Egypt, association agreement (EU), cooperation policy, human rights, position of women, public awareness campaign, women's rights

C 280 E/60

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

21.11.2003

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(3 April 2003)

Incineration of waste, including the incineration of scrap wood is regulated by Council Directive 75/442/
EEC of 15 July 1975 on waste (1), Council Directive 91/689/EEC of 12 December 1991 on hazardous
waste (2), and by Directive 2000/76/EC of the Parliament and of the Council of 4 December 2000 on the
incineration of waste (3).

Directive 75/442/EC lays down in its Article 4 the general principle ‘that Member States shall take the
necessary measures to ensure waste is recovered or disposed of without endangering human health and
without using processes or methods which would harm the environment’. Furthermore, this Directive
provides for establishments or undertakings treating waste to be permitted or under certain conditions to
be subject to general rules adopted by Member States.

Directive 91/689/EEC defines hazardous waste and adds more stringent provisions concerning permitting
of facilities managing hazardous wastes. Commission Decision 2000/532/EC containing the European list
of waste classifies wood containing or contaminated with hazardous substances as hazardous waste.

Additionally, as regards incineration of wood waste which may contain halogenated compounds or heavy
metals as a result of
treatment with wood-preservatives or coating, Directive 2000/76/EC on the
incineration of waste determines stringent operational conditions and emission limit values. This Directive
has entered into force for new facilities in 2002 and will enter into force for existing facilities in 2005.
In the meantime, Council Directive 94/67/EC of 16 December 1994 on the incineration of hazardous
waste (4) is applicable.

Installations who burn more than 10 tonnes hazardous wastes a day are subject to Council Directive 96/
61/EC of 24 September 1996 concerning integrated pollution prevention and control (5). These
installations need to operate in a way that all appropriate preventive measures are taken into account
in particular by applying best available techniques (BAT). BAT means not only the
against pollution,
technology used but as well
It entered into effect for new and
substantially changed installations in October 1999. For the remaining installations it will apply in full in
October 2007.

issues such as proper maintenance.

Furthermore, as regards legislation applying to feed, the introduction of the system of hazard analysis and
critical control points (HACCP) in the feed producing chain which is in the process of being proposed by
the Commission will also reduce the risk of contamination.

The Commission considers that proper implementation of these measures will ensure that incineration of
waste wood takes place without negative impact on human health and the environment.

(1) OJ L 194, 25.7.1975.
(2) OJ L 377, 31.12.1991.
(3) OJ L 332, 28.12.2000.
(4) OJ L 365, 31.12.1994.
(5) OJ L 257, 10.10.1996.

(2003/C 280 E/063)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0514/03

by Miet Smet (PPE-DE) to the Council

(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.

21.11.2003

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 280 E/61

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?

Reply

(22 July 2003)

The Council would remind the Honourable Member that the signing of the Association Agreement with
Egypt gave a new dimension to relations with that country, in particular making it possible to engage
discussions on the subject of human rights and fundamental freedoms, even though the Agreement has not
yet come into force as it awaits ratification. The Heads of Mission of the Troika countries in Egypt have
begun discussions with the Egyptian authorities on matters of concern, including respect for human rights.
Two meetings took place in July and November 2002. At the first meeting both sides agreed to hold
regular discussions in the spirit of the Barcelona Declaration and the Association Agreement. The first
political dialogue meeting at ministerial level is scheduled for June and will give the European Union an
opportunity to raise a number of issues.

Once the Association Agreement has entered into force it will provide a framework for conducting
political discussions at regular intervals, as required and at the appropriate level. The Agreement itself
stipulates that respect for democratic principles and fundamental human rights forms the basis of relations
between the European Union and Egypt, constituting an essential element.

in particular with the establishment of a
Some progress has been observed regarding women’s rights,
regulatory framework. In 2000 the Egyptian government created a National Council for Women with the
mission of promoting women’s rights and well-being. A new, progressive law on personal status (family
law) was adopted in 2000 and also improved conditions for women. A law making it easier for women to
obtain a divorce has also been passed. However, the application of these laws too often runs into
administrative and social obstacles and into traditions which are often based on religion. The Egyptian
government is also trying to eliminate the practice of genital mutilation. The practice was banned by a
decree issued by the Ministry of Health in 1996. Through information campaigns supported by the
European Union, society is gradually becoming aware of the problem, but the proportion of women who
are the victims of such practices remains too high.

(2003/C 280 E/064)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0518/03

by Miet Smet (PPE-DE) to the Council

(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.