WRITTEN QUESTION E-2184/03 by Maurizio Turco (NI) to the Commission. Further violations of religious freedom in Turkmenistan.
Date: 2003-06-30
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Turkmenistan, freedom of religious beliefs, religious discrimination, the EU's international role

8.4.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 88 E/71

The Commission is reflecting on the future direction of the EIDHR beyond the current programming
period of 2002-2004 and organised a special seminar on 14 July 2003 to provide an opportunity to
discuss that issue with representatives of non-governmental organisations, Members of Parliament and
Member State officials. As the Communication remains the guiding document, discussions will focus on
how to programme the thematic priorities more effectively.

The Commission’s ‘Guidance Note on Disability and Development for EU Delegations and Services’, which
provides guidance on how to address disability issues effectively within development cooperation, has been
widely distributed throughout the services. It stresses the importance of mainstreaming disability issues in
policy dialogue and in country programming. This is the case in the mid-term review guidelines for
African, Caribbean and Pacific States (ACP) currently under preparation, which foresee exploring the extent
to which country programmes are responsive to the needs of persons with disabilities

Finally, the Commission attaches a great deal of importance to the question of disability. This is illustrated
by the legislation which the Commission has introduced and the active approach taken by the Commission
to the Ad Hoc Committee on a Convention for the Protection and Promotion of the rights of persons with
disabilities.

(1) COM(2001) 252 final.

(2004/C 88 E/0078)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2184/03

by Maurizio Turco (NI) to the Commission

(30 June 2003)

Subject: Further violations of religious freedom in Turkmenistan

The Turkmen authorities have refused to allow any religious groups to register other than Russian
Orthodox and Muslim communities. All unregistered religious activities are regarded as illegal and, in any
event, subject to supervision by the sixth branch of the National Safety Committee (KNB, formerly KGB).

At the end of May, two Hare Krishna meetings were disrupted by the Turkmen authorities. In the course of
a raid in a village near Mari, officials joined in the ceremony to film those taking part. In the capital,
Ashgabad, a Ministry of Internal Affairs intervention group headed by Colonel Byashim Taganov burst into
a house occupied by a Hare Krishna devotee, Gaurabhakta Devi Dasi, and, without producing a search
warrant, removed icons and religious material. Gaurabhakta Devi Dasi was arrested, together with two
other Hare Krishna devotees. Of the three, two were fined and threatened with removal from the capital,
while the third was savagely beaten and threatened with criminal charges. Colonel Taganov denies any
involvement in this incident.

On 31 May, after local authorities had forced their way into a private house, Guzelya Syraeva was fined
for having held a meeting with other members of an unregistered Protestant group. Subsequently,
Ms Syraeva was pressurised by the authorities to leave her job as a teacher at the Abadan day nursery.
They also threatened to dismiss the director of the day nursery, Tazegyul Nurieva, unless she sacked
Ms Syraeva. The two women have also been subject to pressure from the Department of Education.

On 13 June,
the Baptist
the police forced their way into a private apartment where members of
denomination were praying. All those present were interrogated for several hours. The police chief,
Alaverdy Khudoberdiev, defended the police action on the grounds that activities by unregistered
organisations were illegal, whereas in fact the Turkmen law on religion does not prohibit activity by
unregistered religious organisations. Dieter Matthei, a political official with the Organisation for Security
and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) has confirmed the difficulties encountered when attempting to obtain
reports on such incidents from the local authorities.

C 88 E/72

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

8.4.2004

In view of the foregoing:

(cid:1) Is the Commission aware of

the serious and persistent violations of

freedom of religion in

Turkmenistan and of the incidents reported?

(cid:1) What initiatives does the Commission intend to take, or to call for, with a view to bringing pressure

to bear on the Turkmen authorities to ensure religious freedom is upheld in Turkmenistan?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(29 July 2003)

The Commission is fully aware of the very difficult conditions facing religious minorities in Turkmenistan.

The Commission is very concerned about the lack of commitment of the Turkmen Authorities to improve
the situation of minority religious groups. Turkmenistan does not respect its commitments on religious
freedom that are enshrined in the Turkmen Constitution and accepted by the government
in its
international agreements in the Organisation on Security and Cooperation in Europe.

The Commission will continue to raise this question with the Turkmen Authorities at each bilateral
meeting.

(2004/C 88 E/0079)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2198/03

by Niall Andrews (UEN) to the Commission

(26 June 2003)

Subject: Safeguarding human rights in Mexico

Is the Commission aware of the ongoing human rights abuses in Mexico highlighted by Amnesty
International?

These include:

(cid:1) the harassment, intimidation and murder of human rights defenders;

(cid:1) the arrest and ‘disappearance’ of political opponents, campaigners for indigenous rights and members

of indigenous communities;

(cid:1) the murder of more than 200 women in Ciudad Juárez since 1993 and the failure of the Mexican

authorities to conduct effective and appropriate investigations.

Is the Commission aware that, while Mexico has repeatedly committed itself to respecting human rights
and to improving its human rights record, and having ratified the Inter-American Convention on Forced
Disappearances of Persons, it refuses, nonetheless, to investigate cases of ‘disappearances’ which occurred
before ratification of the Treaty?

Is the Commission also aware that cases involving the military continue to be heard by secret military
tribunals only, thus undermining the credibility of the investigations?

Since the EU defines human rights and democracy as ‘essential elements’ in its relationship with countries
outside the EU and for the strengthening of trade links between the EU and Mexico, will the Commission
indicate what measures it intends to take to ensure that the Mexican Government fulfils its human rights
commitments and obligations?