WRITTEN QUESTION E-2748/03 by Konstantinos Hatzidakis (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Rizokarpasso primary school.
Date: 2003-09-15
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Cyprus, EU relations, Türkiye, access to education, association agreement (EU), distribution of schools, educational institution, right to education

C 84 E/730

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

3.4.2004

Does the Commission believe that the Italian government violated in this case not only its own national
Constitution, but Article 19 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights and the spirit and the letter of all the
directives followed by the EU on political asylum and against deporting foreign citizens to countries where
they might be put to death?

What measures does the Commission intend to take against the Italian authorities for such a blatant
violation of human rights and of the most basic legal and humanitarian principles of the European Union?

Answer given by Mr Vitorino on behalf of the Commission

(4 September 2003)

In accordance with Article 19(2) of the Charter of Human Rights of the European Union, ‘No one may be
removed, expelled or extradited to a State where there is a serious risk that he or she would be subjected
to the death penalty, torture or other inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.’ This is one of the
principles that are common to the Member States and that the Commission must respect in accordance
with Article 6(1) of the Treaty on the European Union.

The Commission would recall its answer of 29 January 2003 to Questions P-3821/02 by Mrs Paciotti and
P-3826/02 by Mr Di Lello Finuoli (1) concerning this case and the absence at this stage of powers to
intervene in the examination of any infringement of Article 19 of the Charter, the reason being that no
Community provisions exist on asylum procedures and on determination of the need for international
protection and the relevant statutes. The draft directives on these two matters are still being examined
within the Council.

The Commission would also recall that interested parties may bring a case before the European Court of
Human Rights in accordance with the procedures laid down in the Court’s Rules if they consider that
provisions of the European Convention on Human Rights have not been complied with.

(1) See page 707.

(2004/C 84 E/0822)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2748/03

by Konstantinos Hatzidakis (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(15 September 2003)

Subject: Rizokarpasso primary school

In my previous question (E-2033/03 (1)), I asked the Commission to do everything within its power, in the
context of the rapprochement between the Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities,
to secure the
re-opening of the secondary school at Rizokarpasso in occupied Cyprus. Unfortunately, however, not only
has the secondary school failed to re-open but the Denktash regime appears also to have decided to close
the primary school in the area. Since requiring the two teachers to leave Rizokarpasso within two hours,
the authorities have as yet failed to approve the transfer of the two new teachers who, according to
instructions from the Education Ministry, should have taken up their duties on 1 September.

The inevitable result of this particular practice will be to stifle all cultural and educational opportunities for
the population of the enclave. Without teachers, the school will close. The children will either be forced to
stay in their villages deprived of the fundamental right to education or they will abandon their homes to
become refugees.

At practically the same time, the regime announced via its police authorities that it was banning pilgrims
from entering the Holy Church of St Synesios at Rizokarpasso, one of several visited by many pilgrims
since the partial lifting of travel restrictions.

3.4.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 84 E/731

Is the Commission aware of the developments surrounding the primary school at Rizokarpasso? What
representations will it make to the Denktash regime and the Turkish government, in accordance with its
obligations under the partnership agreement for the accession of Turkey, to avert the prospect of such an
inauspicious future for Greek Cypriot families living in this enclave in occupied Cyprus?

(1) See page 729.

Answer given by Mr Verheugen on behalf of the Commission

(29 October 2003)

The Commission is fully aware of the school situation in the enclaved Greek Cypriot community of
Rizokarpasso. Only recently the Commission replied to several written questions (1) of and letters by
Honourable Members regarding the situation in Rizokarpasso.

Within the framework of the Council, the issue was also discussed in the last COCEN-COSEE (2) meeting in
the Council and Greece provided its own extensive information on the obstacles to the operation of the
primary school.

The Presidency has instructed its Embassy in Nicosia to gather further information including an assessment
by the Government of the Republic. The Presidency stated that the issue would have to be discussed in
depth before any form of action could be considered by the Union.

The Honourable Member will appreciate, as earlier indicated in the replies,
the Commission’s
responsibilities in the field of education are restricted and limited in accordance with Article 149 of the EC
Treaty.

that

Joint reply to E-1983/03 by Mr Alavanos and E-2033/03 by Mr Hatzidakis.

(1)
(2) Central and Southeast Europe Working Party in the Council.

(2004/C 84 E/0823)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3129/03

by José Ribeiro e Castro (UEN) to the Commission

(23 October 2003)

Subject: Guinea-Bissau, Commission support

The media have reported that the former Portuguese Foreign Minister, at the end of a meeting with his EU
counterparts, asked the Commission to ‘focus particularly on cooperation programmes with Guinea-
Bissau’, a country which recently experienced a coup d’état and is now making the transition to
democracy.

The Commission:

(cid:1) how does it intend to examine the Portuguese Government’s request;

(cid:1) what information does it have to the way the Guinean political process is developing;

(cid:1) what measures has it taken or does it intend to take to collaborate in the transition process in Guinea-

Bissau?