do-me/EUR-LEX huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1308/03 by Bill Newton Dunn (ELDR) to the Commission. Human rights abuses in North Korea.
Date: 2003-04-07
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Amnesty International, North Korea, UN Commission, human rights, non-governmental organisation, religious group, the EU's international role

C 58 E/58

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

6.3.2004

The Commission has been closely monitoring the steps taken by Acceding States in their preparation to
ensure compliance by 1 May 2004 with all the requirements of the Regulation. After this date, the
Commission will assess the compliance of these countries based on their reports on ODS recovery,
recycling, reclamation and destruction, following the same procedures that are used for current Member
States. Bulgaria and Romania will need to comply with the same requirements by a date yet to be agreed
with the Union.

(1) Article 16(5) of Regulation (EC) No 2037/2000: ‘Member States shall take steps to promote the recovery, recycling,
reclamation and destruction of controlled substances and shall assign to users, refrigeration technicians or other
appropriate bodies responsibility for ensuring compliance with the provisions of paragraph 1 […]’.

(2) Article 16(6) of Regulation (EC) No 2037/2000: ‘Member States shall report to the Commission by 31 December
2001 on systems established to promote the recovery of used controlled substances, including the facilities available
and the quantities of used controlled substances, recovered, recycled, reclaimed or destroyed’.

(2004/C 58 E/076)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1308/03

by Bill Newton Dunn (ELDR) to the Commission

(7 April 2003)

Subject: Human rights abuses in North Korea

The Commission will be aware of the human rights abuses, notably the treatment of Christians, which
continue in North Korea.

Has the Commission:

1. made representations to the North Korean Government?

2. other plans, to try to improve the dreadful situation?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(5 May 2003)

North Korea is currently a major concern for the international community including the Union. The Union
systematically raises the human rights situation, including freedom of religion, during its regular political
contacts with the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) Authorities. In June 2002 in Pyongyang,
it had the opportunity to discuss the plight of Christians in North Korea. It also requested access to the
country for the Special Rapporteur of the United Nations (UN) Commission on Human Rights ‘(http://
www.unhchr.ch/html/menu2/7/b/mrei.htm)’.

The Commission is kept regularly informed about the situation of Christians through non-governmental
organisations (NGOs), and in particular Amnesty International and the Christian Solidarity Network.
However, it will continue to monitor very closely the human rights situation in North Korea. Its concerns
are also raised during discussions at the ongoing session of the UN Commission of Human Rights in
Geneva where the Union has tabled a resolution on the human rights situation in the DPRK.
Commission Regulation (EC) No 623/2003 of 7 April 2003 establishing the standard import values for determining the entry price of certain fruit and vegetables
Date: 2003-04-07
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: agri-monetary policy, citrus fruit, fruit vegetable, import price, perennial vegetable, pip fruit

8.4.2003

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 90/1

I

(Acts whose publication is obligatory)

COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 623/2003

of 7 April 2003

establishing the standard import values for determining the entry price of certain fruit and
vegetables

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European
Community,

(2)

In compliance with the above criteria,
the standard
import values must be fixed at the levels set out in the
Annex to this Regulation,

Having regard to Commission Regulation (EC) No 3223/94 of
21 December 1994 on detailed rules for the application of the
import arrangements
last
amended by Regulation (EC) No 1947/2002 (2), and in parti-
cular Article 4(1) thereof,

fruit and vegetables (1), as

for

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1

Whereas:

(1)

Regulation (EC) No 3223/94 lays down, pursuant to the
outcome of the Uruguay Round multilateral trade nego-
tiations, the criteria whereby the Commission fixes the
standard values for imports from third countries,
in
respect of the products and periods stipulated in the
Annex thereto.

The standard import values referred to in Article 4 of Regula-
tion (EC) No 3223/94 shall be fixed as indicated in the Annex
hereto.

Article 2

This Regulation shall enter into force on 8 April 2003.

This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.

Done at Brussels, 7 April 2003.

For the Commission

J. M. SILVA RODRÍGUEZ

Agriculture Director-General

(1) OJ L 337, 24.12.1994, p. 66.
(2) OJ L 299, 1.11.2002, p. 17.

L 90/2

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

8.4.2003

to the Commission Regulation of 7 April 2003 establishing the standard import values for determining the
entry price of certain fruit and vegetables

ANNEX

CN code

0702 00 00

0707 00 05

0709 10 00

0709 90 70

0805 10 10, 0805 10 30, 0805 10 50

0808 10 20, 0808 10 50, 0808 10 90

0808 20 50

Third country code (1)

Standard import value

(EUR/100 kg)

052
204
212
999

052
068
096
204
999

220
999

052
204
999

052
204
212
220
600
624
999

060
388
400
404
508
512
524
528
720
728
999

052
388
512
528
999

85,3
87,3
122,4
98,3

117,7
77,0
48,8
90,1
83,4

187,0
187,0

128,4
96,8
112,6

57,3
46,0
66,9
41,4
65,8
63,8
56,9

69,0
81,5
115,4
92,0
84,3
89,8
75,5
79,9
103,5
63,3
85,4

74,9
72,8
70,3
64,0
70,5

(1) Country nomenclature as fixed by Commission Regulation (EC) No 2020/2001 (OJ L 273, 16.10.2001, p. 6). Code ‘999’ stands for

‘of other origin’.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1311/03 by Bill Newton Dunn (ELDR) to the Commission. The imprisonment of Dr Oscar Ellis Biscet by the Cuban authorities.
Date: 2003-04-07
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Cuba, EU relations, human rights, political prisoner, political violence

C 88 E/22

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

8.4.2004

(2004/C 88 E/0022)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1295/03

by José Ribeiro e Castro (UEN) to the Commission

(7 April 2003)

Subject: Cuba (cid:1) political prisoners

There are reports that on 20 March 2003, the Cuban police arrested the writer and journalist Raúl Rivero,
making that the third successive day of arrests of opposition leaders. When he was arrested,
in the
presence of his aged mother, he was apparently not even told why.

The economist Marta Beatriz Roque, who is the chairman of the Civil Society Association, Hector Palácios,
the spokesman of the ‘Todos Unidos’ group, the economist Óscar Espinosa Chepe and some 60 other
political activists in various other towns have apparently also been arrested.

These arrests are apparently on the basis of Cuban Government accusations that those being held were
involved in a ‘conspiracy’ with the US Government.

Can the Commission answer the following:

(cid:1) what information does the Commission have about the situation? How does the Commission view

these arrests;

(cid:1) what approaches has the recently-established Commission Delegation made to the Cuban authorities;

(cid:1) to what extent and in what direction do these events affect Commission policy with regard to the

Cuban regime?

(2004/C 88 E/0023)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1311/03

by Bill Newton Dunn (ELDR) to the Commission

(7 April 2003)

Subject: The imprisonment of Dr Oscar Ellis Biscet by the Cuban authorities

The Commission may be aware of the imprisonment of Dr Oscar Ellias Biscet, a Cuban human rights
activist, by the Cuban authorities.

Has the Commission:

1. Made representations to the Cuban Government about the imprisonment of Dr Oscar Ellias Biscet?

2. Other plans, to try to ensure that the Cuban authorities respect the human rights of their citizens?

(2004/C 88 E/0024)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1347/03

by Charles Tannock (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(10 April 2003)

Subject: Human rights abuses in Cuba

There are reports that a Cuban human rights activist Dr Oscar Elias Biscet was arrested in December of last
year for attending an informal and peaceful human rights meeting one month after being released from
prison. He is believed to be held in the Combinado del Este prison in Havana and has been assigned the
case number 244 (2002), File No 2903007. It has been reported that he is also being denied medical
treatment for a serious gum condition, which may mean that he loses all his teeth.

Does the Commission have any information on Dr Biscet’s state of health and whereabouts and on the
circumstances of his arrest? In particular,
is the Commission in a position to verify that his political
activities were of a non-violent nature and has the Commission raised the question of his treatment with
the authorities in Havana?
Commission Regulation (EC) No 624/2003 of 7 April 2003 on the issue of system B export licences in the fruit and vegetables sector (lemons)
Date: 2003-04-07
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: citrus fruit, export licence

8.4.2003

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 90/3

COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 624/2003

of 7 April 2003

on the issue of system B export licences in the fruit and vegetables sector (lemons)

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European
Community,

Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 2200/96 of 28
October 1996 on the common organisation of the market in
fruit and vegetables (1), as last amended by Commission Regula-
tion (EC) No 47/2003 (2),

Having regard to Commission Regulation (EC) No 1961/2001
of 8 October 2001 on detailed rules for implementing Council
Regulation (EC) No 2200/96 as regards export refunds on fruit
and vegetables (3), as last amended by Regulation (EC) No
1176/2002 (4), and in particular Article 6(6) thereof,

Whereas:

(1)

(2)

Commission Regulation (EC) No 307/2003 (5) fixes the
indicative quantities for system B export licences other
than those sought in the context of food aid.

In the light of the information available to the Commis-
sion today, there is a risk that the indicative quantities
laid down for the current export period for lemons will

shortly be exceeded. This overrun will prejudice the
proper working of the export refund scheme in the fruit
and vegetables sector.

(3)

To avoid this situation, applications for system B licences
for lemons after 7 April 2003 should be rejected until
the end of the current export period,

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1

Applications for system B export licences for lemons submitted
pursuant to Article 1 of Regulation (EC) No 307/2003, export
declarations for which are accepted after 7 April 2003 and
before 14 May 2003, are hereby rejected.

Article 2

This Regulation shall enter into force on 8 April 2003.

This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.

Done at Brussels, 7 April 2003.

For the Commission

J. M. SILVA RODRÍGUEZ

Agriculture Director-General

(1) OJ L 297, 21.11.1996, p. 1.
(2) OJ L 7, 11.1.2003, p. 64.
(3) OJ L 268, 9.10.2001, p. 8.
(4) OJ L 170, 29.6.2002, p. 69.
(5) OJ L 45, 19.2.2003, p. 4.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1295/03 by José Ribeiro e Castro (UEN) to the Commission. Cuba — political prisoners.
Date: 2003-04-07
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Cuba, EU relations, human rights, political prisoner, political violence

C 88 E/22

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

8.4.2004

(2004/C 88 E/0022)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1295/03

by José Ribeiro e Castro (UEN) to the Commission

(7 April 2003)

Subject: Cuba (cid:1) political prisoners

There are reports that on 20 March 2003, the Cuban police arrested the writer and journalist Raúl Rivero,
making that the third successive day of arrests of opposition leaders. When he was arrested,
in the
presence of his aged mother, he was apparently not even told why.

The economist Marta Beatriz Roque, who is the chairman of the Civil Society Association, Hector Palácios,
the spokesman of the ‘Todos Unidos’ group, the economist Óscar Espinosa Chepe and some 60 other
political activists in various other towns have apparently also been arrested.

These arrests are apparently on the basis of Cuban Government accusations that those being held were
involved in a ‘conspiracy’ with the US Government.

Can the Commission answer the following:

(cid:1) what information does the Commission have about the situation? How does the Commission view

these arrests;

(cid:1) what approaches has the recently-established Commission Delegation made to the Cuban authorities;

(cid:1) to what extent and in what direction do these events affect Commission policy with regard to the

Cuban regime?

(2004/C 88 E/0023)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1311/03

by Bill Newton Dunn (ELDR) to the Commission

(7 April 2003)

Subject: The imprisonment of Dr Oscar Ellis Biscet by the Cuban authorities

The Commission may be aware of the imprisonment of Dr Oscar Ellias Biscet, a Cuban human rights
activist, by the Cuban authorities.

Has the Commission:

1. Made representations to the Cuban Government about the imprisonment of Dr Oscar Ellias Biscet?

2. Other plans, to try to ensure that the Cuban authorities respect the human rights of their citizens?

(2004/C 88 E/0024)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1347/03

by Charles Tannock (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(10 April 2003)

Subject: Human rights abuses in Cuba

There are reports that a Cuban human rights activist Dr Oscar Elias Biscet was arrested in December of last
year for attending an informal and peaceful human rights meeting one month after being released from
prison. He is believed to be held in the Combinado del Este prison in Havana and has been assigned the
case number 244 (2002), File No 2903007. It has been reported that he is also being denied medical
treatment for a serious gum condition, which may mean that he loses all his teeth.

Does the Commission have any information on Dr Biscet’s state of health and whereabouts and on the
circumstances of his arrest? In particular,
is the Commission in a position to verify that his political
activities were of a non-violent nature and has the Commission raised the question of his treatment with
the authorities in Havana?
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1310/03 by Bill Newton Dunn (ELDR) to the Commission. The situation of the Nigerian national, Mr Abubakir, a practising Christian.
Date: 2003-04-07
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU relations, Nigeria, freedom of religious beliefs, protection of minorities, religious discrimination, religious group

8.4.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 88 E/349

(2004/C 88 E/0355)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1310/03

by Bill Newton Dunn (ELDR) to the Commission

(7 April 2003)

Subject: The situation of the Nigerian national, Mr Abubakir, a practising Christian

The Commission may be aware of the situation of Mr Abubakir and his two daughters Rakiya and Dije
from the village of Bilkawa in Kano state, Nigeria. There is evidence that the Muslim authorities in Nigeria
have put pressure on the two girls to convert to Islam and to marry Muslim men. This is particularly
important considering that the Nigerian authorities have signed up to the International Covenant on Civil
and Political Rights.

Has the Commission:

1. made representations to the Nigerian Government about the situation of Mr Abubakir?

2. other plans, to try to ensure that the Nigerian authorities respect the human rights of the Christian

minority in their country?

Answer given by Mr Nielson on behalf of the Commission

(6 May 2003)

The Commission has not been alerted as to the situation of Mr Abubakir and his family and has not made
any representation to the Nigerian Authorities on this matter. The Commission has asked its Delegation in
Abuja to make enquiries on this matter to Federal and State officials.

(2004/C 88 E/0356)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1316/03

by Hanja Maij-Weggen (PPE-DE) to the Commission

Subject: Autonomy of the Indonesian province of Papua

(7 April 2003)

Is the Commission aware that in late January 2003 the Indonesian Government issued a decree stipulating
that the process of dividing the province of Papua into three would be speeded up?

Can the Commission state how this self-explanatory decree can be reconciled with the earlier decision by
the Indonesian Government to grant Papua special autonomy?

Can the Commission state what precise form this autonomy takes at present and what effect it has?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(15 May 2003)

The Commission follows closely the developments in Eastern Indonesia,
Papua, and is very much aware of the Presidential Decree mentioned by the Honourable Member.

in particular the situation in

The Government of Indonesia at the provincial and national levels have started discussions on how to
reconcile this decision to divide the province into three distinct provinces with the provisions of the
Special Autonomy Law (SAL) passed by the Parliament in 2001. No final decision has however been made
public so far.