WRITTEN QUESTION E-2227/03 by Michael Cashman (PSE) to the Commission. Human rights in Western Sahara.
Date: 2003-07-02
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU relations, Morocco, Western Sahara, human rights, non-governmental organisation, protection of minorities

C 88 E/392

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

8.4.2004

(cid:1) according to Buddhist monk Gelong Shenphen, this problem is common to all religious communities
awaiting registration since 1999 and it is the office’s job to register such communities, not judge
them. ‘I wonder how such discrimination can occur in a country that is to join the European Union
next year’, says Shenphen;

(cid:1) according to Cepar, the matter is highly ‘complex’ and the state has not established criteria to
‘determine when a group constitutes a religious community’. He also maintains that the government is
working ‘tirelessly’ to fill this ‘legal vacuum’, yet ‘how can there be a legal vacuum when 31 religious
communities have already been registered?’ asks a monk from the Dharmaling religious community.

In the light of the above and bearing in mind that Slovenia is one of the countries that will be joining the
European Union in little under a year:

(cid:1) is the Commission aware of the above situation and, if so, what, if anything, has it done about it?

(cid:1) does it consider
communautaire’?

the behaviour of

the Slovenian authorities to be in breach of

the ‘acquis

(cid:1) if the situation is not resolved, what formal measures could the Union take prior to Slovenia’s formal

accession to ensure that it observes the principle of religious freedom?

Answer given by Mr Verheugen on behalf of the Commission

(22 August 2003)

The Commission is following up on a regular basis the situation regarding freedom of religion in Slovenia
as respect of freedom of religion is an important part of the Copenhagen political criteria for accession.
Hence the Commission is monitoring the situation in this area,
including through its contacts with
international human rights organisations. It has also reported on this issue in its Regular Reports on
Slovenia’s progress towards accession, the latest one of which was published in October 2002 (1).

The Commission is aware of the delays some religious communities have been facing in registering their
communities with the relevant authorities in Slovenia. This issue has also been brought up by the
Ombudsman in Slovenia. According to the information received by the Commission, the Office for
Religious Communities is now in the process of drafting new legislation in this area to update the existing
legislation and to resolve problems in its implementation.

The Commission will continue to monitor the situation in this area,
legislation.

including the adoption of new

(1) COM(2002) 700 final.

(2004/C 88 E/0398)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2227/03

by Michael Cashman (PSE) to the Commission

(2 July 2003)

Subject: Human rights in Western Sahara

Following the dissolution of the Sahara section of the human rights NGO ‘Forum for Truth and Justice’ in
Layounne Court on 18 June 2003, can the Commission indicate what action is being taken by the
European Union to protect human rights in Western Sahara?

The Commission will be aware that this is not the first measure taken to restrict the human rights of the
Sahrawi people and that it is important that those who fight to protect human rights should themselves be
protected and allowed to operate.

8.4.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 88 E/393

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(29 July 2003)

The Commission agrees with the Honourable Member that the protection of the freedom of action of
human rights defenders, in accordance with international standards, is a matter of the utmost importance.

The Commission is aware of the dissolution of the Sahara section of the ‘Forum for Truth and Justice’, as
well as persisting allegations of harassment and intimidation against Western Saharan civil society activists.
The Commission understands that in this particular case, defense lawyers have announced their intention
to appeal against the decision handed down in Layounne on the 18 June 2003. The Commission is
following the matter closely.

Relations between Morocco and the Union are governed by the Association Agreement and questions
related to human rights as well as those connected with the Western Sahara are treated, inter alia, in the
framework of the political dialogue (article 2) during the Association Councils and Committees.

On 22 May 2003 the Commission issued a Communication (1) aimed at reinvigorating Union actions on
Human Rights and democratisation with the Mediterranean partners, within the framework of both
dialogue and cooperation under the Euro-Med Association Agreements.

This Communication outlines guidelines for the best use of the instruments that are at the disposal of the
Union and its Mediterranean partners to effectively implement their common goal of the promotion of
democratisation and the promotion and protection of universal Human Rights and fundamental freedoms.
It proposes 10 concrete recommendations to improve the dialogue between the Union and its
Mediterranean partners, as well as Union’s financial co-operation on Human Rights issues. Several of the
recommendations touch on the vital role played by civil society in the promotion and protection of
human rights, and the need to collaborate constructively with partners to effectively ensure civil society
freedom of action in accordance with international norms. The implementation of the Communication will
be enhanced by three levels of complementarity: between the political dialogue and financial assistance,
between the MEDA programme and assistance under the European Initiative for Democracy and Human
Rights (EIDHR), and finally between the national and regional dimensions.

The Communication will provide an additional, concrete platform to engage the Mediterranean partners,
such as Morocco, on a continuous dialogue on all the questions of human rights and democratisation
including, when appropriate, those dealing with specific cases.

In this respect the Commission would like to reassure the Honourable Member that the effective protection
of human rights in Western Sahara remains a continuous and major priority for the Commission.

(1) COM(2003) 294 final.

(2004/C 88 E/0399)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2231/03

by Bill Newton Dunn (ELDR) to the Commission

(3 July 2003)

Subject: Human rights abuses in Burma

The Commission will be aware of the human rights abuses which continue in Burma, particularly the
detention of Aung San Suu Kyi.

Has the Commission:

1. made representations to the Burmese Government?

2.

any other plans to try to improve the dreadful situation?