WRITTEN QUESTION E-2331/03 by Olivier Dupuis (NI) to the Commission. Vote on a freedom-annihilating law.
Date: 2003-07-16
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Hong Kong, fundamental rights, government bill, public safety, repression

C 51 E/238

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

26.2.2004

leather within the EU, and that the industry will then face unfair competition from third countries where
the directive does not apply, and where processing costs are therefore far lower.

What action will the Commission take to ensure that the leather processing industry in the EU is not
disadvantaged in this way?

Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(12 August 2003)

The Commission is aware of concerns of the leather industry with regard to the impact of the future
Community chemicals legislation (REACH). An Internet consultation on texts prepared by the services
most directly concerned, namely, Directorates General Enterprise and Environment was recently concluded.
The comments received, including those of the leather industry in relation to higher costs and potential
distortions of competition, will be taken into account by the Commission in the adoption of its proposal.

(2004/C 51 E/259)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2322/03

by Véronique De Keyser (PSE) to the Council

(8 July 2003)

Subject: Netherlands EUR 2 coin

The edge of the Netherlands EUR 2 coin bears a reference to a God (God zij met ons). Although this
characteristic of the coin is described in Office Journal (1), could the Council state which God (Catholic,
Protestant, Islamic, Jewish, Buddhist, etc.) is being referred to? I feel that in our multi-faith, secular Europe
it is important that we should know to whom the words on the coin refer.

(1) OJ C 373, 28.12.2001.

Reply

(13 October 2003)

The indication on the edge of the EUR 2 coin issued by the Netherlands, which makes reference to God,
stems from a tradition in the Netherlands and was previously used for the national coins which have been
replaced by the euro coins.

This indication is in conformity with the decision of the Council to have an uniform European side and a
national side for the Euro coins in order to increase the acceptance of these coins by European citizens (see
recital No 10 of Council Regulation 975/98 on denominations and technical specifications of the Euro
coins intended for circulation).

It is therefore not for the Council to reply to the question raised by the Honourable Parliamentarian.

(2004/C 51 E/260)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2331/03

by Olivier Dupuis (NI) to the Commission

(16 July 2003)

Subject: Vote on a freedom-annihilating law

On 9 July 2003, the Hong Kong Legislative Council was asked to definitively adopt an anti-subversion law
designed to incorporate into the former British colony’s legislation the same repressive measures the
Chinese authorities use against the Falun Gong, clandestine churches and political opponents. According to

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Official Journal of the European Union

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press agencies, the key points of this law are: life imprisonment for anyone found guilty of high treason,
sedition, secession or subversion; strengthening of security force powers to stop and search suspicious
persons; banning of any organisations already outlawed in mainland China.

What further information does the Commission have on this provision? What will it do to avert the
adoption of a law against which hundreds of thousands of Hong Kong citizens have demonstrated in
recent days? Does it not agree that by acting in this manner the Chinese authorities are renouncing the
tenuous idea of ‘one country, two systems’, thereby seriously jeopardising the possibility of Hong Kong
remaining a case apart from the rest of China in terms of respect for basic human rights?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(12 August 2003)

The Commission is closely following Hong Kong’s adoption of national security laws under Article 23 of
the Special Administrative Region’s Basic Law. It has gathered extremely detailed information from various
sources since the process first began.

Although it does not contest the constitutional obligation to legislate that Article 23 places on the Hong
Kong Government, the Commission would like future legislation to protect the fundamental rights of
Hong Kong citizens as enshrined in the Basic Law and to respect the Special Administrative Region’s
international obligations particularly as regards the two United Nation Covenants on human rights.

The European Union has made known its concerns about certain measures initially proposed by the Hong
Kong Government such as the prescription of local association and the very vague definition of crimes of
subversion, sedition and state secrets through four successive statements. The Hong Kong authorities have
been made aware of these positions during the many approaches by the Troika of heads of mission.

In its latest statement of 16 July the European Union welcomes the three new amendments introduced by
the Hong Kong Government and deferment of the tabling of the draft law before the Legislative Council to
allow calmer discussion of the matter by Hong Kong society. The European Union also reiterates its desire
to see Hong Kong eventually introduce universal suffrage which is the ultimate aim of the Basic Law.

The Commission will continue to closely monitor events concerning Article 23 both as regards further
public consultation and the adoption and future implementation of the law and their compatibility with
the principle of ‘One country, Two Systems’.

(2004/C 51 E/261)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2335/03

by Stavros Xarchakos (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(16 July 2003)

Subject: Practice of the Greek authorities in informing the public about projects co-funded by the EU

In his reply to my Written Question E-1712/03 (1) Commissioner Barnier states that
the Union is
contributing, by means of the European Investment Bank (EIB), to ‘the renovation of the Olympic Stadium
in Maroussi and the press centre located nearby’ and a series of other projects (extension of the subway
line, the construction of tram lines, the construction of the suburban railway, the completion of the ‘Attiki
odos’ ring road etc.) connected to the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens. He also states that the Union is co-
funding the renewal of the Athens bus and trolley fleet (EUR 79 million) and that ‘concerning the co-
funding of the renewal of the Athens bus and trolley fleet, the normal requirements relating to information
and publicity apply.’