WRITTEN QUESTION P-1336/03 by Ilka Schröder (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. Persecution of homosexuals in the Palestinian autonomous areas.
Date: 2003-04-02
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU relations, Palestine, cruel and degrading treatment, discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, human rights, right of asylum

8.4.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 88 E/353

Ester Benazri, the official responsible for refugee protection, believed that such situations can only be due
to the fact that the displaced populations did not wait for official repatriation, which begins only next May
and she forecast that the situation would improve with an increased UNCHR and international community
presence in the border areas.

The Commission:

(cid:1) what information has it concerning these matters;

(cid:1) what approaches has it made or will it make to the countries involved, with a view to putting an end

to these human rights violations as soon as possible?

Answer given by Mr Nielson on behalf of the Commission

(15 May 2003)

The Commission is aware of reports of abuses which some Angolan refugees returning spontaneously
from neighbouring countries are allegedly suffering. The reports speak of abusive practices such as
harassment, robbery, sexual abuse and extortion, particularly at the Democratic Republic of Congo/Angola
border. Such practices, if proven, would be in contravention of the Tripartite Agreements governing the
repatriation of refugees signed in November and December 2002 by the Government of Angola, the
United Nations High Commissioner for Regugees (UNHCR), and the respective governments of the
Democratic Republic of Congo, Namibia, the Republic of Congo and Zambia.

Whilst the Angolan government is the prime actor to intervene to put a stop to such practices, the
Commission undertakes to raise this issue with the UNHCR in view of its role as signatory to the Tripartite
Agreements and holder of the special mandate for refugees. Moreover, the Commission will examine these
the
issues within the framework of any future Community financing of
repatriation of refugees.

interventions to support

Furthermore, should these allegations be confirmed and persist, the Commission will, in close collaboration
with Member States’ representations in the countries involved, consider the appropriate steps to take vis-à-
vis the national authorities.

(2004/C 88 E/0359)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-1336/03

by Ilka Schröder (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(2 April 2003)

Subject: Persecution of homosexuals in the Palestinian autonomous areas

In recent months there have been repeated reports in the press (including in New Republic, 19 August
2002, East Bay Voice, 19 September 2002, Ha’aretz, 6 March 2003 and 10 September 2001, Jerusalem
Post, 5 June 2001) and by civil rights groups (e.g. Agudah, http://agudah.israel-live.de) on serious
violations of the human rights of gays, lesbians, transsexuals and trans-genders in the autonomous areas
ruled by the Palestinian Authority (PA). In 2000, it is claimed, four Palestinians were killed for being
homosexual, and hundreds were forced to flee to Israel. It is alleged that ‘harassment of gays’ is ‘practically
official policy’ in the PA. The victims are frequently called collaborators and accused as such. However,
there have also been two cases in the last three years where people have been specifically accused of
homosexuality.
the ‘Al-Aqsa Intifada’, Sharia courts have also been set up where
homosexuals are threatened with the death penalty by stoning, burning and hanging. These courts also
declare persons suspected of homosexuality to be ‘outlaws’, who can be murdered with impunity. It is also
reported that the PA police regularly inflicts appalling torture on homosexuals.

In the wake of

C 88 E/354

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

8.4.2004

The EU has committed enormous amounts of financial aid to the region. Since 1993, over EUR 1,4 billion
has flowed into the PA-ruled areas, and since June 2001 the EU has paid a steady EUR 10 million per
month to the PA through direct budget payments. Further large appropriations are granted through the
MEDA programme. Is the Commission aware of the above-mentioned facts about the situation of gays,
lesbians, transsexuals and trans-genders in the PA areas? Does it have any other information? If so, what?
Does it know about the situation of homosexuals in the UNWRA camps co-funded by the EU? Has the
Commission already taken any measures to bring about a change in this intolerable situation? If not, does
the Commission consider that the EU (cid:1) in view of the extent to which it supports the PA (cid:1) has a right to
insist on compliance with human rights obligations by the PA, and must assert this right? If not, would the
Commission agree that the EU and its Member States should grant those affected immediate and unlimited
asylum? If not, why not?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(7 May 2003)

The Commission is aware of press reports referred to by the Honourable Member concerning alleged
persecution of homosexuals in addition to informal accounts of human rights violations in the Palestinian
Territories.

The Commission is concerned by these reports of human rights violations and has, in conjunction with
international donors, called on the Palestinian Authority to undertake democratic reforms, to ensure the
rule of law, and to respect basic human rights.

The Union is actively participating in the Quartet and the International Task Force on Palestinian Reform,
which was established in July 2002 to monitor and support the implementation of Palestinian civil
reforms, and to guide the international donor community in its support for the Palestinian’s reform
agenda. The Task Force is composed of the United States, the Union, the Russian Federation, the United
Nations, Norway, Japan, Canada, the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund. It is monitoring
progress across key areas such as civil society, public administration and rule of law and recommends
further actions to be undertaken by the Palestinian Authority.

The Commission is unaware of the specific situation of homosexuals among UNRWA refugees referred to
by the Honourable Member, nor has it received any reports on this matter.

The Commission will continue to monitor progress on reform within the framework of Union bilateral
relations with the Palestinian Authority as well as in conjunction with other international donors.

Regarding asylum, the Commission would remind the Honourable Member that assessment of applications
for recognition of asylum status is carried out on an individual basis by the competent Member State
authorities, and in line with the 1951 Geneva Convention relating to the status of refugees.

(2004/C 88 E/0360)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1400/03

by Roberta Angelilli (UEN) to the Commission

(16 April 2003)

Subject: Seat of the European Food Safety Authority

It was reported a few days ago in the Italian press that the future European Food Safety Authority (EFSA)
may be split between two seats, each being assigned different tasks and functions.