WRITTEN QUESTION E-0575/03 by Nelly Maes (Verts/ALE) to the Commission. Forced sterilisation of Roma women in Slovakia.
Date: 2003-02-28
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Roma, Slovakia, accession to the European Union, human rights, judicial inquiry, protection of minorities, right to physical integrity, sterilisation

6.2.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 33 E/55

The Commission does not believe that the Broadcasting Authority has acted in a discriminatory way in this
matter but rather that the tense accession referendum campaign in Malta incited it to take exceptional
steps to guarantee the impartiality of the public television.

In view of these exceptional circumstances, and considering the status, duties and independence of the
Malta Broadcasting Authority, the Commission believes that its assessment that freedom of expression
continues to be respected in Malta, remains valid.

(2004/C 33 E/051)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0574/03

by Luigi Vinci (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(28 February 2003)

Subject: Turkey and the ‘Ocalan case’

For some weeks now the leader of the former PKK, Abdullah Ocalan, has been unable to receive visits
from his defence lawyers or anyone else. This arbitrary decision on the part of the Turkish Government
constitutes a flagrant violation of the European Convention on Human Rights and the ‘political criteria’ for
enlargement identified by the Copenhagen European Council.

What steps does the Commission intend to take to ensure that Ocalan is guaranteed the basic right of
defence? Does it not consider that, since Ocalan’s sentence of death has been commuted, Brussels should
now exert pressure on the government in Ankara to ensure that Ocalan is granted freedom and that
negotiations are launched with a view to a political solution to the ‘Kurdish question’?

Answer given by Mr Verheugen on behalf of the Commission

(2 April 2003)

The Commission is aware of Abdullah Öcalan’s current detention conditions. Since 27 November 2002
there have been reports that relatives and lawyers of Mr Öcalan have had difficulties in gaining access to
him.

As a Candidate Country, Turkey aims to fulfil the Copenhagen political criteria as well as the priorities
identified by the Accession Partnership. These include the alignment of prison detention conditions with
European standards and full compliance with the provisions of the European Convention on Human
Rights.

The Commission has been informed of the visit made on 16 and 17 February 2003 by a delegation of the
Council of Europe Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or
Punishment (CPT), which was given access to Mr Öcalan. The CPT delegation concluded that the health of
Mr Öcalan was good, but that his continued isolation was a problem. The CPT’s delegation will take steps
to ensure that Mr Öcalan’s right to receive visits is effective in practice.

The Commission will continue to monitor the conditions of Mr Öcalan’s detention, and the respect of his
right to defence.

(2004/C 33 E/052)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0575/03

by Nelly Maes (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(28 February 2003)

Subject: Forced sterilisation of Roma women in Slovakia

As a member of the EU-Slovak Republic JPC, I have visited Slovakia on many occasions and have been
frequently in contact with the Roma community. Within the context of accession negotiations, I have
continually emphasised the rights of minorities. The recent report by the Centre of Reproductive Rights

C 33 E/56

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

6.2.2004

concerning forced sterilisation of Roma women, the strong warning from the rapporteur for the European
Parliament J.M. Wiersma and the testimony here in Belgium of Roma women seeking asylum in our
country all point to the same conclusion: practices which we thought belonged to a dark and distant past
are still common.

Some women have told me that they were forced to undergo sterilisation, others that they were sterilised
whilst under anaesthetic during a Caesarean section. Yet others have spoken of financial assistance being
provided for sterilisation under the family planning budget.

The Slovak minister responsible for minorities is setting up an inquiry, but, according to news agency CTK,
writing on 30 January 2003, the minister also envisages the institution of proceedings against the authors
of the report.

Will the Commission be pressing for a detailed, objective national
it be examining
critically the results of such an inquiry against the background of Slovakia’s accession to the EU? If so,
could the Commission forward to me the results and measures to be taken by the Commission in
response? If not, does the Commission consider this form of reproductive policy not to contravene human
rights?

inquiry and will

Answer given by Mr Verheugen on behalf of the Commission

(28 March 2003)

The Commission is aware of the allegations, recently published in a report of the ‘Center for Reproductive
Rights’, that Roma women are being sterilised without their consent or with coerced consent by doctors in
Eastern Slovakia.

The Member of the Commission responsible for Enlargement has immediately addressed this issue in a
letter to Slovak Prime Minister Dzurinda, underlining that these allegations are a matter of serious concern
and if proved to be true, would constitute a serious breach of human rights, provided the public
authorities have supported, tolerated or not taken proper legal actions in this respect. Moreover, he has
investigations, to remedy
asked the Slovak authorities to vigorously carry out the necessary criminal
possible discriminatory measures and keep the Commission informed about the proceedings.

According to the Commission’s information,
the competent authorities have launched the criminal
investigations, with a special investigation team being set up. The Roma advisor to the Ministry of Interior,
this team. The Ministry of Health and the Slovak
a Roma himself, has been assigned to consult
Gynaecological Society have been closely associated with the investigations. A preliminary inspection of
the latter institutions to one of the hospitals, mentioned in the report, has not confirmed the allegations, so
far. Finally, the Council of Europe has been invited by Slovakia to conduct a fact-finding mission in Eastern
Slovakia.

The Commission will continue to closely monitor
the
investigations. It will consider further measures, if appropriate and necessary and will, of course, keep the
Parliament informed.

the further proceedings and outcome of

(2004/C 33 E/053)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0594/03

by Matti Wuori (Verts/ALE), Bart Staes (Verts/ALE)
and Elisabeth Schroedter (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(28 February 2003)

Subject: EU support for the indigenous peoples of the Russian Federation

The indigenous peoples of the Russian Federation are approximately 200 000 in number, distributed
among 40 distinct groups with rich cultural heritages. Most of these peoples continue to live in the
traditional way. They are spread over huge areas, often without basic transport and communication
structures. They are the first to be affected by the serious environmental threats (linked to the presence of
gas and oil extraction plants, whose products are exported to the European Union) and the effects of
climate change. Their estimated life expectancy is 25 years lower than the average life expectancy of the
population of Russia.