WRITTEN QUESTION E-3013/03 by Marco Cappato (NI) to the Commission. The case of the Tunisian journalist Néziha Rejiba.
Date: 2003-10-14
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU relations, Tunisia, communications profession, freedom of expression, human rights, information society, international relations, right to justice, summit meeting

C 88 E/126

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

8.4.2004

Since 1985 St Sophia has been classified as a World Heritage Site and the latest Turkish National
Programme for the implementation of the ‘acquis’ indicates that cultural works belonging to the world as a
whole are protected under law of 17 June 1987 so as to preserve them in perfect condition for future
generations. In view of this, will the Commission adopt a firm position on this matter?

Do the Turkish pre-accession and MEDA programmes include funding earmarked for cultural purposes, in
particular the preservation of cultural treasures such as those stored in St Sophia?

Does the Commission not consider that such a serious situation constitutes a backward step regarding
compliance with the Community ‘acquis’. What action does it intend to take in response?

Answer given by Mr Verheugen on behalf of the Commission

(12 November 2003)

As already mentioned in the Commission’s recent reply to Written Question E-2962/03 by Mr Alavanos (1),
the Community’s financial assistance programme for Turkey does not allow provision of support for
conserving and restoring religious or cultural works, such as those stored in the Hagia Sofia. The
programme is designed primarily to support Turkey’s alignment with Union standards in the political,
economic and legislative areas. Project proposals are prepared by the Turkish Government and are subject
to approval by the Commission, which is given only for projects that contribute to meeting the priorities
of the Accession Partnership, as adopted by the Council of Ministers on 15 May 2003.

In addition, the Commission monitors very closely the progress achieved by Turkey in adopting the
relevant ‘acquis’ in the area of culture.

(1) OJ C 78 E, 27.3.2004, p. 771.

(2004/C 88 E/0134)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3013/03

by Marco Cappato (NI) to the Commission

(14 October 2003)

Subject: The case of the Tunisian journalist Néziha Rejiba

On 25 September 2003 the Tunisian customs authorities issued the Tunisian journalist Néziha Rejiba with
a summons because she had given a young Tunisian man EUR 170 in cash, an offence punishable by up
to five years’ imprisonment and a fine. However, the journalist has not broken the law, which sets a time-
limit of one week for changing foreign currency into Tunisian dinars.

Néziha Rejiba, who has published articles on the Internet denouncing violations of human rights
committed by the Tunisian authorities, writes for the on-line magazine Kalima (www.kalima.com), which
has been censored in Tunisia since it was first published in October 2000. For the last three years she has
been subjected to physical aggression and been continually harassed by the Tunisian police, her home is
under surveillance and her telephone is monitored or (as at present) cut off.

Has the Commission taken official steps to ask the Ambassador of the Republic of Tunisia to clarify the
situation? What response has it received?

What steps will the Commission take to induce the Tunisian government to ensure that freedom of
expression and the right to a fair trial are respected by the Tunisian authorities in this case?

In view of the fact that the World Summit on the Information Society is due to be held in Tunis in
November 2005, what steps will the Commission take to help to ensure an end to the constant and
systematic violation of the freedom of expression of the Tunisian population?

8.4.2004

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Official Journal of the European Union

C 88 E/127

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(17 December 2003)

The Commission is aware of the reports concerning Ms Rejiba referred to by the Honourable Member.

The Commission continues to follow the human rights situation in Tunisia closely. The Commission has
always condemned violations of the principles of
liberty, democracy, respect for human rights and
fundamental freedoms and the rule of law, principles upon which the Union is founded and which are
common to the Member States as stated in Article 6 of the Treaty on the European Union.

In particular, the Commission considers freedom of expression as an area of fundamental importance to
the development of democracy and a participatory society in all areas. In the framework of the MEDA
budget line, the Commission in collaboration with a European centre for journalism is seeking to promote
freedom of expression in Tunisia through a Media support programme aimed at journalist training. In order
to support Tunisian efforts to strengthen the rule of law, the Commission also intends to launch a
programme aimed at modernising the Tunisian judiciary, similar to those already launched for Algeria and
Palestinian Territories.

As far as the World Summit on the Information Society is concerned, the Commission refers to its answers
to the Honourable Member’s Written Questions E-2554/03 (1) and E-2931/03 (2).

(1) OJ C 65 E, 13.3.2004, p. 175.
(2) OJ C 70 E, 20.3.2004, p. 165.

(2004/C 88 E/0135)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3025/03

by Konstantinos Hatzidakis (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(17 October 2003)

Subject: Human rights violations against Greeks on the island of Imbros through the Turkish national land

register

At a single stroke, the application of the law on the Turkish national land register on the island of Imbros
deprives Greeks on the island and their heirs of their property and assigns it to the Turkish state.

More specifically, the application of the Turkish land register removes from the owners land which has not
been cultivated or houses which have not been lived in for more than 20 years, and arbitrarily assigns
them to the Turkish state. It removes all ownership and inheritance rights from anyone who has lost
Turkish citizenship (cid:1) because they did not serve in the Turkish army before the age of 21 (cid:1) and prevents
owners from claiming property which had been confiscated without compensation and illegally remains in
the possession of Turkish settlers, even though the work which was supposed to have justified the
expropriation has never been carried out.

It is clear that these practices are aimed at Greek owners and their heirs, who lose any legal right to
ownership, in total contravention of Community law.

Bearing in mind that Turkey has the status of a candidate country for accession to the European Union
and its application is to be reviewed in 2004, how will the Commission tackle this issue?

Will it intervene with the Turkish authorities with a view to restoring order and equal rights?