WRITTEN QUESTION P-2723/03 by Francisca Sauquillo Pérez del Arco (PSE) to the Commission. European Initiative for Democracy and Human Rights and indigenous peoples.
Date: 2003-09-03
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU financing, indigenous population, protection of minorities

8.4.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 88 E/435

The Commission will continue to closely follow developments in this area, working closely with other
major donors and international agencies such as the World Bank and UN Development Programme (DP).

(1) COM(2002) 700 final.

(2004/C 88 E/0440)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2723/03

by Francisca Sauquillo Pérez del Arco (PSE) to the Commission

(3 September 2003)

Subject: European Initiative for Democracy and Human Rights and indigenous peoples

According to the Commission, one of the priorities under the European Initiative for Democracy and
Human Rights (EIDHR) must be the fight against racism, xenophobia and discrimination towards ethnic
minorities and indigenous peoples. The Council has also, on several occasions, confirmed its promise of
support for indigenous peoples (see Conclusions of the Council of June 2001 and November 2002). There
are, however, reports that indigenous peoples receive no mention in the EIDHR budget for 2004.

Can the Commission confirm that, in accordance with the guidelines of the Council, the Commission itself
and the European Parliament, the EIDHR programming document, which is currently being drawn up, will
take indigenous peoples into consideration, according them a particular mention and a specific budget
item?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(26 September 2003)

Following up on the commitments of the Union regarding support for the rights of indigenous peoples,
the European Initiative for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR) contributes to achieve these objectives
by opening up access to funding for projects of organisations representing indigenous peoples or working
with them. The EIDHR Programming Document 2002-2004 identified the empowerment of indigenous
peoples to promote their rights and the enhancement of respect for the rights of indigenous peoples at the
international level for specific support. For the period from 2002 to 2004, the programming document
included an indicative allocation of EUR 15 million in support of corresponding projects. On the basis of
this multi-annual programming and within the framework of
the EIDHR
programming update for 2004 continues to provide opportunities for project funding in support of the
rights of indigenous peoples at global, regional and focus country level.

the identified objectives,

(2004/C 88 E/0441)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2726/03

by Nelly Maes (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(10 September 2003)

Subject: Russian minority’s schools in Latvia

Languages are part of the richness of Europe. Several international charters recognise the right of citizens
to maintain and develop their own languages.

In Latvia, the significant Russian-speaking community is struggling against the Government’s intention to
eliminate minority educational systems. In its resolution on Latvia’s progress in the accession process
(2002) the European Parliament called for a study into possibilities of retaining secondary education in
minority languages.