WRITTEN QUESTION E-2077/03 by Paulo Casaca (PSE) to the Commission. Community support for torture victims.
Date: 2003-06-24
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU financing arrangements, human rights, medical centre, non-governmental organisation, torture

C 88 E/382

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

8.4.2004

At the same time, the European Council meeting in Thessaloniki in June 2003 has acknowledged ‘the
importance that the peoples of the Western Balkan attach to the perspective of liberalisation of the Union’s
visa regime towards them’. The Commission will hold, within the framework of the Stabilisation and
Association process, discussions with each country regarding the necessary requirements in terms of
reforms in areas such as the strengthening of the rule of law, combatting organised crime, corruption and
illegal immigration and strengthening administrative capacity in border control and security of documents
to take these issues forward.

In particular in Serbia and Montenegro, the Commission is providing special attention to assisting the
authorities in the modernisation of its customs services and border police and to the improvement of its
integrated border management. Over EUR 50 million from the Community Assistance for Reconstruction
Development and Stabilisation (CARDS) programmes to be committed in the 2002-2004 timeframe will
be consecrated to the reform of these services and procedures aiming at achieving European standards.
This assistance will help the administration to facilitate the circulation of people and goods transiting SCG
while at the same time safeguarding the safety and security of citizens not only in Serbia and Montenegro
but in the wider South Eastern region and the Union.

(2004/C 88 E/0388)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2077/03

by Paulo Casaca (PSE) to the Commission

(24 June 2003)

Subject: Community support for torture victims

The author of this question has received disturbing information from a number of torture-victim support
agencies to the effect that, in 2002, the amount of funding which had hitherto been made available to
such agencies was reduced by nearly 45 %.

As a consequence of that reduction, approximately 30 rehabilitation centres in 20 or so countries may
have to close or to make drastic cutbacks in the assistance which they provide.

According to the agencies concerned the reduction is attributable to a change in the policy followed by the
Commission, which has apparently decided to place greater emphasis on prevention at the expense of
rehabilitation.

Can the Commission confirm this information?

Is the Commission aware of the harm which has been done by the change in its policy?

Has the Commission any information concerning the amount of funding which will be required if the
rehabilitation projects financed by the Community are to continue?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(6 August 2003)

The reply to written question E-1858/03 by Mr De Rossa (1) provided a comprehensive account of the
situation with respect to funding for rehabilitation activities for torture victims in 2002 and 2003.

Further to that reply, the Commission is currently reflecting on the programming of the European
Initiative for Democracy and Human Rights for 2004 and beyond. A special Non-Governmental
Organisation (NGO) seminar was convened on 14 July 2003 (with attendance also by several Members
of Parliament) in order to canvass views on thematic priorities for future funding, including torture.

(1) See page 48.