WRITTEN QUESTION E-1985/03 by Anna Karamanou (PSE) to the Commission. Scandal involving illegal sterilisations in Slovakia.
Date: 2003-06-16
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU relations, Roma, Slovakia, anti-discriminatory measure, ethnic cleansing, judicial inquiry, protection of minorities, right to physical integrity, sterilisation

8.4.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 88 E/55

(2004/C 88 E/0059)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2083/03

by Rodi Kratsa-Tsagaropoulou (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(24 June 2003)

Subject: Violations of Greek air space by Turkish aircraft and security of the inhabitants of the Aegean

During a recent visit to the border islands of Samos and Ikaria I experienced the deep anxiety felt by the
inhabitants at the constant, provocative violations of Aegean air space by Turkish warplanes and the
impact which they have on the lives and security of the local people as well as their livelihood in the
tourist industry.

The alarm was compounded, in particular, following the recent incident in which two Turkish F16 fighters
harassed an Olympic Airways flight bound for Istanbul from Athens.

What view does the Commission take of Turkey’s conduct in this respect and what measures will it take
forthwith to put an end to such violations by Turkey?

What measures will
through the Aegean and to restore normality and peace to the wider region?

it take to address the insecurity felt by European citizens living in or travelling

Joint answer
to Written Questions E-1984/03, E-2050/03 and E-2083/03
given by Mr Verheugen on behalf of the Commission

(7 August 2003)

As an EU Candidate Country, Turkey has undertaken to comply with the criteria for accession.

In terms of the specific issue raised by the Honourable Member, the Commission recalls the principle of
peaceful settlement of border disputes and other related issues as established under paragraph 4 of the
Helsinki European Council Conclusions in December 1999.

Under the revised Accession Partnership with Turkey, adopted on 19 May 2003 (1), there is a specific
priority relating to this principle.

The Commission is monitoring closely the progress achieved by Turkey in this and other areas and will
make a detailed assessment in its Regular Report to be published on 5 November 2003.

(1) OJ L 145, 12.6.2003.

(2004/C 88 E/0060)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1985/03

by Anna Karamanou (PSE) to the Commission

Subject: Scandal involving illegal sterilisations in Slovakia

(16 June 2003)

Two non-governmental organisations have alleged that over the last 14 years at least 110 women from the
Roma community in eastern Slovakia have been forcibly sterilised. Furthermore,
the women were
misinformed about reproductive health issues and suffered discrimination regarding access to the
competent healthcare centres and their personal medical records.

Does the Commission intend to exert pressure on the Slovakian government to thoroughly investigate the
above accusations and punish those responsible for this inhuman crime, so as to protect the health and
reproductive rights of women in this country and the human rights of its minorities, thereby honouring its
commitments as a new Member State of the European Union?

C 88 E/56

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

8.4.2004

Answer given by Mr Verheugen on behalf of the Commission

(31 July 2003)

The Commission is aware of the allegations, published in a report of the ‘Center for Reproductive Rights’
at the beginning of 2003, that Roma women have been sterilised without their consent or with coerced
consent by doctors in Eastern Slovakia. The report also raised other human rights violations such as
discriminatory access to health-care resources and treatment.

As already stated in its answers to questions E-0434/03 of Mr Meijer (1), E-0575/03 of Mrs Maes (2) and
P-1630/03 of Mrs Maes (3), the Commission has immediately addressed this issue in a letter to Slovak
Prime Minister Dzurinda, underlining that these allegations are a matter of serious concern and if proved
to be true, would constitute a serious breach of human rights, provided the public authorities have
supported or tolerated such occurrences or have not taken proper legal actions in this respect. Moreover,
the necessary criminal
the Commission has asked the Slovak authorities to vigorously carry out
investigations, to remedy possible discriminatory measures and to keep the Commission informed about
the proceedings.

In his reply, the Slovak Prime Minister informed the Commission that the competent authorities had
launched the criminal investigations, with a special investigation team being set up. Furthermore, the Roma
advisor to the Ministry of Interior, a Roma himself, had been assigned to consult this team and the
Ministry of Health and the Slovak Gynaecological Society had been closely associated with the
investigations. Furthermore,
the Council of Europe has recently conducted a fact-finding mission to
Eastern Slovakia to look into the sterilisation issue.

The Commission will continue to closely monitor
investigations and will consider further measures, if appropriate and necessary.

the further proceedings and outcome of

the

(1) See page 12.
(2) OJ C 33 E, 6.2.2004, p. 55.
(3) See page 37.

(2004/C 88 E/0061)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2004/03

by Salvador Garriga Polledo (PPE-DE) to the Commission

Subject: World Medicines Bank for poor countries

(16 June 2003)

An increasingly broad body of opinion is in favour of setting up a World Medicines Bank for developing
countries whose poverty deprives them of even the most basic medicinal products that are taken for
granted in any civilised society.

Those in favour of the setting up of such a bank consider that the current attitude of the rich countries (cid:1)
which, totally absorbed by their quest for growth and wealth, are blind to the urgent need to help a large
section of the world’s population that is suffering from a shortage of medicinal products and is obliged to
live with pain on a daily basis as a result (cid:1) reflects a dismaying lack of solidarity.

What view does the Commission take of the calls by a large section of the world population for the setting
up of a World Medicines Bank, and would it be prepared to take the lead in this matter, at least vis-à-vis
the current and new EU Member States?

Answer given by Mr Nielson on behalf of the Commission

(8 August 2003)

The Commission has been and is at the forefront of increasing access to affordable pharmaceutical
products, especially in the fight against human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency
syndrome (HIV/AIDS), malaria and tuberculosis (TB). In 2001 the Commission adopted a Programme for
Action (PfA) entitled Accelerated action on HIV/AIDS, malaria and TB in the context of poverty reduction.