WRITTEN QUESTION E-2045/03 by Maurizio Turco (NI), Marco Pannella (NI),Emma Bonino (NI), Marco Cappato (NI), Benedetto Della Vedova (NI),Gianfranco Dell'Alba (NI) and Olivier Dupuis (NI) to the Commission. Serious and persistent violations of the fundamental human rights of the Uighur minority in the Chinese province of Xinjiang (eastern Turkestan).
Date: 2003-06-19
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: China, EU relations, bilateral relations, ethnic discrimination, human rights, political cooperation, political violence

C 78 E/70

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

27.3.2004

The Commission is well aware of the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Committee’s serious concerns
that Vietnam’s State party practice does not meet the requirements of Article 18 of the International
Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). The Union,
the Member States together with the
Commission, have repeatedly raised this issue with the authorities in the framework of Union démarches
and regular discussions on Human Rights.

In the particular case of China, the Union has repeatedly expressed its concern about restrictions on
unofficial churches and religious groups and on Islam. It has regularly raised the issue of freedom of
religion and belief in the framework of the Union-China structured dialogue on human rights, and will
continue to do so as appropriate.

The Union has repeatedly affirmed that human rights and democratisation must form an integral part of
all political dialogues with third countries. Religious freedom, as one of the fundamental human rights, as
well as the rights of religious minorities are thus addressed through the Union’s bilateral political dialogues
and, when appropriate, through démarches and public declarations, as well as through Union action in
fora such as the UN Commission on Human Rights or the Third Committee of the UN General Assembly.

As regards the provision of assistance and as outlined in its May 2001 Communication (1) on the Union’s
role in the promotion of Democracy and Human Rights in third countries, the Commission is committed
to mainstreaming Human Rights and democratisation issues in all Community assistance programmes.
Country Strategy Papers were used as a tool to take a more coherent and consistent approach to the
promotion of human rights and democratisation, using the various financial instruments available to third
is being provided through the European Initiative for
countries,
Democracy and Human Rights.

in addition to the assistance that

In the specific case of assistance to Vietnam, the Commission’s overall policy towards this country is to
encourage and support its progress on human rights and democratisation, and to raise concerns where
abuses occur or where a deterioration in the situation becomes evident. The Commission has defined the
promotion of good governance, best administrative practices and a properly functioning judiciary system
as priorities for co-operation with Vietnam under the Country Strategy 2002-2006. The Commission
believes that its co-operation programme, especially through its specific support for institutional reforms as
well as the inclusion of governance related training activities into all co-operation projects will contribute
to strengthen Vietnam’s overall governance and human rights commitments.

Overall, the Commission is of the opinion that a incitative approach is the most likely to lead to
improvements in the respect of Human Rights, including religious freedom. The Commission will continue
favouring dialogue and assistance in its relations with third countries. The suspension of aid until religious
or other freedoms are respected can only be a last resort approach, whose consequences are very likely to
impact badly on the populations whose rights are violated.

(1) COM(2001) 252 final.

(2004/C 78 E/0069)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2045/03

by Maurizio Turco (NI), Marco Pannella (NI),
Emma Bonino (NI), Marco Cappato (NI), Benedetto Della Vedova (NI),
Gianfranco Dell’Alba (NI) and Olivier Dupuis (NI) to the Commission

(19 June 2003)

Subject: Serious and persistent violations of the fundamental human rights of the Uighur minority in the

Chinese province of Xinjiang (eastern Turkestan)

Knowing that:

(cid:1) Seven million Uighurs, a Shiite Muslim minority,

live in Xinjiang (eastern Turkestan), the largest
province in China. They have been oppressed by the central government for decades, but with
particular relentlessness since the war with neighbouring Afghanistan.

27.3.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 78 E/71

(cid:1) In 1990 the Chinese government tried to stabilise the region by investing billions of dollars in
building roads, railways, hospitals and army barracks, digging oil wells and, above all, encouraging
massive migration from eastern China. Whereas the Han ethnic group made up only 5 % of the
population in 1950, they now constitute 50 % of the 18 million inhabitants.

(cid:1) Even now the government is promising those who move to Xinjiang guaranteed jobs, obviously at the

expense of the Uighurs.

(cid:1) According to Amnesty International 3 000 Uighurs were arrested recently and one hundred were
executed after summary trials. Young Uighurs are forced to attend courses of indoctrination at school
and anyone caught listening to Radio Free Asia is arrested.

(cid:1) The most historic district of Kashgar was demolished in order to build the new railway and the

ancient bazaar is being destroyed to make way for a Chinese hypermarket.

(cid:1) The most famous Uighur singer, Abdurihim, was forced to shave off his beard, has been banned from
singing in public and a poster has been stuck up on his house bearing the words ‘re-educated at last’.

In view of the excellent relations between the EU and China in the sphere of economic and commercial
cooperation and the fact that, according to the Commission, the dialogue on human rights is being held in
an ‘open and constructive atmosphere’, can the Commission say:

(cid:1) whether it is aware of the facts outlined above;

(cid:1) whether and when the issue of the Uighur minority was raised publicly and officially with China and

with what outcome;

(cid:1) what steps, in the context of cooperation relations, might constitute a serious and effective instrument

for inducing China to respect fundamental human rights?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(25 July 2003)

The Commission is well aware of reports on repression and discrimination of the Uighur minority. Since
the beginning of the Union-China bilateral human rights dialogue, the question of minority rights has been
very high on its agenda. Basic rights as well as religious and cultural identity of the Uighur population
have been regularly addressed in every session of the dialogue. Moreover it has been suggested that the
next round of the dialogue, to be held in China in December 2003, be followed by a field visit to Xinjiang
Province. The situation has not, as yet, fundamentally improved on the ground.

Some years ago the Commission launched an extended human rights related co-operation programme
which, in its view, constitutes a useful instrument to induce China to respect fundamental rights. This
programme has, up to now, mainly dealt with legal co-operation, support to local governance, the rights
of more vulnerable groups like women or handicapped people and the ratification and implementation of
the United Nations human rights covenants.

(2004/C 78 E/0070)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2051/03

by Caroline Jackson (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(20 June 2003)

Subject: Essential oils and consumer protection

The seventh amendment to the Cosmetics Directive went to some lengths to ensure that consumers were
protected in relation to the use of essential oils. Such oils are included in products eaten by consumers, for
example yoghurt with lavender oil. Would it not be consistent to put the same warning on such foods as
on cosmetic products? Is the Commission proposing to do this? If not, why not?