WRITTEN QUESTION E-2874/03 by Proinsias De Rossa (PSE) to the Commission. Removal and retention of children's organs without parental consent.
Date: 2003-09-26
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU Member State, UN convention, child, illicit trade, organ transplantation, organised crime, protocol to an agreement, trade in organs, trafficking in human beings

20.3.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 70 E/153

(2004/C 70 E/159)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2874/03

by Proinsias De Rossa (PSE) to the Commission

(26 September 2003)

Subject: Removal and retention of children’s organs without parental consent

Further to its answer to my question E-1666/03 (1), could the Commission indicate which Member States
have yet to sign and ratify the United Nations Protocol on the prevention, suppression and punishment of
trafficking in persons, which supplements the UN Convention on Transnational Organised Crime?

(1) OJ C 51 E, 26.2.2004, p. 122.

Answer given by Mr Vitorino on behalf of the Commission

(27 October 2003)

According to the information provided by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)
regarding the Protocol to prevent, suppress and punish trafficking in persons, especially women and
children, supplementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organised Crime (1).
All Member States signed the Protocol in December 2000, but only Spain and France have ratified it.

(1) http://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/crime_cicp_signatures_trafficking.html

(2004/C 70 E/160)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2879/03

by Jan Dhaene (PSE) to the Commission

(29 September 2003)

Subject: Technical inspection of systems for indirect vision fitted on commercial vehicles

According to press reports, only 1,02 % of commercial vehicles in Belgium fail their technical inspection
test because of badly-positioned or inadequate systems for indirect vision. 4,64 % of such vehicles are
driven away, despite a defect being registered, but they are not required to undergo a second test. In the
Netherlands, police checks showed that 85 % of systems for indirect vision are not properly adjusted
(Source: Goca).

In the interim,
manufacturers are developing technology whereby sensors warn drivers of such vehicles about
presence of persons or objects which cannot be observed by direct vision.

technological development has not been standing still. Major commercial vehicle
the

Can the Commission answer the following:

(cid:1) Will the procedures laid down in Directive 77/143/EEC (1) and those which will be laid down in
legislation adopted on the basis of COM(1999) 458 (98/0097(COD)) (2) also apply to systems for
indirect vision which are to be installed in accordance with the requirements to be laid down when
the Council approves amendments to Directive 70/156/EEC (3), as set out in COM(2001) 811 (2001/
0317(COD)) (4)?

(cid:1) Do the procedures laid down in Directive 77/143/EEC and those which will be laid down in
legislation adopted on the basis of COM(1999) 458 (98/0097(COD)) also apply to systems for indirect
vision already installed in accordance with the requirements laid down in national legislation adopted
in advance of Council approval of amendments
in
COM(2001) 811 (2001/0317(COD))?

to Directive 70/156/EEC, as

set out

(cid:1) Is the Commission considering amendments to current legislation and to the proposals for legislation
currently before the Council with a view to authorising sensor-based systems for indirect vision?