WRITTEN QUESTION E-1467/03 by Charles Tannock (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Killing of Street Children in Guatemala and Honduras.
Date: 2003-04-29
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU relations, Guatemala, Honduras, child protection, human rights, prevention of delinquency, public safety, street children

8.4.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 88 E/31

Furthermore, the Union has agreed to deal with all matters concerning democracy and human rights in
India through its regular, on-going constructive dialogue with the Indian Government.

it

Regarding the third question,
is not within the competence of the Commission to give explicit
recommendations to private companies on how they should operate in third countries. However,
the Commission is committed to encouraging companies to act according to the Organisation for
Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) guidelines on Corporate Social Responsibility. These
guidelines make reference to the need to respect and protect the human rights of employees, and to avoid
discrimination against minority groups.

(2004/C 88 E/0033)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1467/03

by Charles Tannock (PPE-DE) to the Commission

Subject: Killing of Street Children in Guatemala and Honduras

(29 April 2003)

the truth of

There are allegations that ‘street-children’ in Guatemala and Honduras have been killed. These allegations
are vigorously denied by the governments concerned. Does the Commission itself have any independent
confirmation of
these allegations and has it raised this matter with the governments
concerned? Does the Commission know if homes and shelter are offered to all homeless children under the
age of 16 and what alternatives are available to the children who roam the streets in these countries?
Finally, has the Commission urged governments in the region to ensure that children who break the law
are in all cases punished in accordance with the rule of law and that, where appropriate, support is given
to reduce their chances of leading lives of crime?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(22 May 2003)

The Commission would refer the Honourable Members to its joint reply to Written Questions E-0356/03
by Mr Newton Dunn and Baroness Ludford (1), E-0086/03 by Mr Helmer (2) and Written Question E-0097/
03 by Mr Whitehead (2) on the same subject.

As far as Guatemala is concerned, the Commission would like to add the following elements:

(cid:1) the Commission is aware that the United Nations Verification Mission in Guatemala (Minugua), as well
as local and international human rights organisations have reported a general deterioration in the
situation of human rights during recent months, with several attacks against and murders of street
children. In particular, the Inter-American Human Rights Commission has expressly pointed out the
Guatemalan State’s non observance of a set of recommendations made to guarantee the prevention of
human rights violations by state agents, including aggression against street children. However, as in
Honduras, there is no evidence of an institutional state policy aimed at infringing human rights;

(cid:1) the Commission will continue to urge the Guatemalan authorities to make additional effort to ensure
respect for the rule of law. In line with the Resolution on human rights in Guatemala that the
Parliament issued in April 2003, the Commission’s main objective for the Consultative Group Meeting
for Guatemala, scheduled in Guatemala City for the beginning of May 2003, is to encourage the local
authorities and society to accelerate the implementation of the Peace Accords signed in 1996, to
promote human rights as well as to reinforce the judicial system.

(1) See page 11.
(2) See page 5.