WRITTEN QUESTION E-1513/03 by Helle Thorning-Schmidt (PSE) to the Council. The sentencing to death by stoning of Amina Lawal.
Date: 2003-05-05
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Nigeria, cruel and degrading treatment, death penalty, human rights, international convention, motherhood, position of women, sexual discrimination, the EU's international role

26.2.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 51 E/101

Answer given by Mr Bolkestein on behalf of the Commission

(9 July 2003)

The Commission has looked at the question of the portability of bank account numbers on several
occasions. At present, it does not seem possible to do with bank account numbers what has been done
with telephone numbers. However, it may be possible to achieve the same objective by other means.

The Commission is planning in the near future to propose a new legal framework for payments in the
internal market. The subject of portability has come up in the various discussion documents published
during preparation for this project.

The following conclusions can be drawn from the comments received to date.

(cid:1) Firstly, portability of bank account numbers is less useful

in that the customers give their bank
account numbers only to a limited number of correspondents, usually those who make payments to
their accounts. Portability would not solve the problem of standing orders, for example;

(cid:1) Secondly, portability is very difficult to implement because there is no real international bank account
numbering system comparable to the telephone numbering system currently in existence. A bank
account number in one country is not necessarily structured in the same way as one in a
neighbouring country, nor does it contain the same information;

(cid:1) Finally, in-depth studies carried out in the Netherlands and in the United Kingdom on introducing

portability at national level concluded that the measure would be very costly.

However, the objective behind the idea of ‘portability’ (cid:1) facilitating customer mobility so as to maximise
the benefits of increased competition within the internal market (cid:1) should be pursued. It is probably in the
field of mobility that initiatives could be taken (cid:1) making it easier to change banks. For example, the old
bank could provide the new one with details of all automatic debits or standing orders so that there would
be no break in service.

It is likely that the Commission will adopt a communication on a new legal framework for payments in
the near future. This communication will probably deal with the portability of bank account numbers and
customer mobility. As soon as it is adopted, a copy will be sent to the Honourable Member and to
Parliament’s secretariat.

(2004/C 51 E/113)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1513/03

by Helle Thorning-Schmidt (PSE) to the Council

(5 May 2003)

Subject: The sentencing to death by stoning of Amina Lawal

On 22 March 2002 in Nigeria, Amina Lawal Kurami was sentenced to death by stoning on the grounds
that she had given birth to a child outside marriage. Amina Lawal Kurami appealed against the verdict,
which was to have been reviewed on 25 March 2003 by the sharia court of appeal in the state of Katsina.
However, the case was postponed until 3 June 2003.

What is the Council’s position on this particular sentence and others like it? What steps does the Council
intend to take to have Amina Lawal Kurami’s death sentence quashed?

C 51 E/102

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

26.2.2004

Reply

(29 September 2003)

The EU monitors closely the case of Amina Lawal on the basis of its declaration of 21 August 2002 in
which it expressed its deep concern about the decision of the court of appeal dismissing the appeal lodged
by Amina Lawal.

The Council, following the advice of Amina Lawal’s defence lawyers that supportive actions should be
taken in a discreet and confidential manner, considers that it is not advisable or appropriate to interfere in
Amina Lawal’s case as long as the case is sub judice. At this stage it seems to be more supportive to follow
a general approach, i.e. not to individualise the case. In the context of the political dialogue with Nigeria at
different levels, in particular through Heads of Mission in Abuja, the EU has reiterated its position on the
death penalty and encouraged the Government of Nigeria to continue working towards the abolition of the
death penalty and the prevention of all forms of cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.
With regard to this particular sentence the EU is stressing the need for Nigeria to guarantee that the
constitution remains the supreme law in the country, given the constitutional problems arising from the
application of the sharia in certain states.

The Council continues urging the Nigerian authorities to fully respect human rights and human dignity
with particular reference to women (1).

(1) Nigeria has ratified the Convention on Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women without
that Parties to the Convention on
reservations. The EU has therefore reminded the Nigerian Government
Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women condemn discrimination against women in all its forms,
and agree to pursue by all appropriate means and without delay a policy of eliminating discrimination against
women.

(2004/C 51 E/114)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1514/03

by André Brie (GUE/NGL) to the Council

(5 May 2003)

Subject: Marked increase in anti-Semitic outrages in the EU in 2002

With regard to various studies (including by the European Monitoring Centre on Racism and Xenophobia
(EUMC)), the Council’s attention is drawn to the dramatic increase in anti-Semitic outrages in the EU
Member States last year (peaking between the end of March and mid-May 2002). The research studies into
what has caused this development point in no uncertain terms to, inter alia, the link between radicalisation
of the Middle East conflict (in particular the current criticism, involving anti-Semitic stereotypes, of Israeli
Government policy) and the ‘new wave of anti-Semitism’.

The various studies point to two significant aspects:

(cid:1) that what is dangerous is not necessarily how many anti-Semitic incidents there are, but, rather, how

serious the actions are;

(cid:1) that although some of those responsible for anti-Semitic outrages are right-wing extremists, many
more are to be found among radical Islamists or young Muslims, though the latter are themselves
victims of discrimination and racist violence.

The fact that the political will to combat such waves of anti-Semitic outrages is usually short-lived and, in
the process, the need for a long-term approach to be developed and funded is ignored is also clearly
pointed up.

Can the Council say:

(cid:1) whether it is aware of these developments and what conclusions have been drawn to date?

(cid:1) whether action has been or is being taken to monitor/observe such anti-Semitic outrages more

effectively and combat and curb them, and, if so, what does that action involve?