WRITTEN QUESTION E-0801/03 by Koldo Gorostiaga Atxalandabaso (NI) to the Commission. Freedom of expression.
Date: 2003-03-17
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Basque Country, European Court of Human Rights, cessation of trading, freedom of the press, fundamental rights, legal system, newspaper, public opinion, rule of law, terrorism

21.11.2003

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 280 E/75

(2003/C 280 E/078)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0641/03

by Michl Ebner (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(4 March 2003)

Subject: Closing of a Basque daily newspaper

The only daily newspaper published in the Basque language was closed down in Bilbao on the night of 19
to 20 February 2003, and eleven senior members of its staff were arrested. Hundreds of heavily armed,
masked police seized advertising and administrative material, as well as personal documents and items
belonging to staff working for the paper.

Is the Commission aware of this situation?

Does it intend to verify these facts?

Is it permissible and proportionate that a daily newspaper should have to close down completely on
suspicion of aiding and abetting terrorist activities?

Is this acceptable according to principles based on political democracy and freedom?

Does this not require a special evaluation?

(2003/C 280 E/079)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0672/03

by Mario Borghezio (NI) to the Commission

(7 March 2003)

Subject: Respect for press freedom in the Basque Country

On 21 February the Spanish judiciary ordered the closure of
‘Euskaldunon Egunkaraia’ and the arrest of those running it.

the Basque nationalist newspaper

This action on the part of the Spanish authorities has aroused opposition and confusion among various
politicians and representatives of civil society. The Basque regional government has expressed support for
the newspaper.

What does the Commission think about this action on the part of the Spanish authorities?

What steps will the Commission take to uphold the rights (cid:1) above all press freedom (cid:1) of the Basque
people?

(2003/C 280 E/080)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0801/03

by Koldo Gorostiaga Atxalandabaso (NI) to the Commission

(17 March 2003)

Subject: Freedom of expression

‘Euskaldunon Egunkaria’, the only daily the newspaper of the world in Euskara (Basque language) was
closed last week by order of the Audiencia Nacional, a special court in Madrid which deals with cases
related to big crimes. According to the court Egunkaria ‘belongs to or collaborates with ETA’.

Egunkaria was founded in 1990 after PTAS 150 million (EUR 900 000) were raised in a popular campaign.
On Saturday, 22 February, a massive demonstration took place in the streets of Donostia (San Sebastian).
Marchers were brandishing a new newspaper called ‘Egunero’ published by the journalists of Egunkaria.
The first day they sold 50 000 issues, next day 75 000. Both the demonstration and the Egunero issues’
success prove the social concern and clear solidarity of the Basques with the newspaper.

C 280 E/76

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

21.11.2003

Does the Commission consider that this action of the Spanish authorities against the Basque newspaper
respects the basic principles of a democratic state?

Will the Commission urge the Spanish authorities to re-open the newspaper immediately?

Does the Commission consider that the solitary confinement of the arrested journalists and the seizure of
their documents are in line with full respect for human rights and press freedom?

Joint answer
to Written Questions E-0641/03, E-0672/03 and E-0801/03
given by Mr Vitorino on behalf of the Commission

(30 April 2003)

The Egunkaria newspaper was closed down by court order. In our democratic States based on respect for
the law, the judicial power is independent of the executive and the decisions of the courts cannot be
overruled by political pressure. The Commission cannot comment on decisions given by a judicial
authority.

All the judicial systems of the Member States of the Union provide the procedural guarantees for legal or
natural persons prosecuted or sued in the courts as required by the European Convention for the
Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms. Anybody who considers that his fundamental
rights have been breached can bring an action in the European Court of Human Rights after all domestic
legal remedies have been exhausted.

(2003/C 280 E/081)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0642/03

by Paul Rübig (PPE-DE) to the Council

(4 March 2003)

Subject: Tax treatment of research spending

The Lisbon process stresses that technology-based firms are expected to provide a positive impetus,
particularly as regards the creation of new jobs. It is also explicitly pointed out that Europe has some way
to go to catch up with Japan and the USA in the area of research.

How are research spending and operational investment treated for tax purposes in the current and future
EU Member States and in the USA, Japan and Australia?

What impact does taxation have on the credit-worthiness of SMEs and research bodies?

How does the Council assess these factors? Will
implementation of Basel II in the EU?

it draw on them in its preparatory work on the

Reply

(21 July 2003)

The Council shares the importance that the Honourable Member attaches to the Lisbon process and the
role of SMEs and technology based firms.