WRITTEN QUESTION P-3057/03 by Bartho Pronk (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Human rights situation in Guatemala, particularly the situation of Mr Rogoberto Dueñas Morales.
Date: 2003-10-14
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU relations, Guatemala, corruption, election monitoring, fact-finding mission, human rights, organisation of elections, political violence

C 88 E/448

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

8.4.2004

for

The European Community is supporting in West Africa, the region worst affected, the regional programme
‘Support
the Strengthening of vaccine independence in Africa d’Appui au reinforcement de
l’Independence Vaccinale en Afrique’. This programme strengthens the co-ordination amongst countries
in the region to the management and mobilisation of vaccine stocks, in collaboration with WHO. This
programme, in collaboration with ECHO, proved itself most effective in the last yellow fever epidemics in
the region, and could also support related activities for meningitis epidemics.

At present a health sector programme under the West Africa Regional Strategy (EUR 15 million) is being
identified by the European Commission and we are exploring the possibilities on preparedness (including
vaccine stocks), early detection and response to the main epidemics (including meningitis) in the region.
More efficient prevention would come from extending trivalent vaccine to endemic countries through
strategies such as those supported by GAVI and others in the region, but there are still technical difficulties
in the immunogenicity of this vaccine for children and hence its inclusion in the Expanded Programme of
Immunization. The European Community is also supporting research into more effective and appropriate
meningitis vaccines.

The European Community also has a clear strategy in Disaster Preparedness and Prevention (DPP) in place
and there is a need to increase DPP support from our regular programming (A or B envelops), subject to
the prioritization by our partner countries.

During the last year, the European Community funded interventions in response to outbreaks of meningitis
in Africa for a total of EUR 920 000 through ECHO. The bulk of this contribution was directed to the
purchasing of around 600 000 doses of meningitis vaccines, most of the Trivalent ACW including the
classical A and C serotypes, and the new resistant strain W135. At present ECHO is designing a one-year
programme to react more rapidly to epidemics in the region. The Commission is also contributing to
essential prevention and care services which will be the basis for long term capacities in early warning,
detection and reaction to epidemics in the region.

In the framework of humanitarian interventions dealt with by the Humanitarian Aid Office (ECHO), as a
general principle no pre-positioning of stocks can be financed in connection with the forecast of a
potential humanitarian emergency. ECHO’s policy is to tackle identified needs in a given humanitarian
crisis, and resources are speedily mobilised through ECHO implementing partners when emergencies break
out, upon presentation of operational proposals by humanitarian organisations. Costs incurred by partners
that fall within the operational period are financed by ECHO, which may also consider the cost of
products purchased and put into stock before the grant is signed and for which later distribution takes
place, provided that these stocks are used within the contract period and in the framework of the financed
operation.

(2004/C 88 E/0457)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-3057/03

by Bartho Pronk (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(14 October 2003)

Subject: Human rights situation in Guatemala, particularly the situation of Mr Rogoberto Dueñas Morales

1.
Is the Commission aware of the disappearance of Mr Rogoberto Dueñas Morales, deputy Secretary-
General of the Unión Autónoma de Campesinos and deputy Secretary-General of the Central General de
Trabajadores de Guatemala?

2.
Is the Commission aware that his disappearance is probably connected to the fact that he raised the
question of government-linked corrupt practices in the Guatemalan social security system, for which the
government is partly responsible?

8.4.2004

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Official Journal of the European Union

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Is the Commission prepared to express its concern at this disappearance, and to exert the necessary

3.
pressure to obtain a clarification about the fate of Mr Dueñas Morales?

4. What, in the light of this disappearance, is the opinion of the Commission on the human rights
situation in Guatemala?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(5 November 2003)

The Commission is aware of the Mr Rigoberto Duenãs Morales case in Guatemala and is trying to get
more detailed information. The Commission is also exchanging views with Member States before deciding
what measures could be taken. Contact has also been made on this issue with Mr José Pinzón, Secretary
General of the Central General de Trabajadores de Guatemala.

The Commission is concerned about the general deterioration in the situation of human rights and
impunity in the country, as it has been reported recently by local and international human rights
organisations including the United Nations Verification Mission in Guatemala (Minugua) and the Inter-
American Human Rights Commission of the Organisation of the American States (OAS). In particular, as
declared by the Union Presidency on 22 August 2003 and by the European Council on 18 October 2003,
the Commission is worried about the build-up of tension and continuous infringements of human rights
that has been occurring during the pre-electoral phase.

Within this framework the Commission and the Member States have asked the representatives of the
judicial system,
including the President of the Supreme Court of Justice, to redouble their efforts to
investigate the attacks against human rights and fight against impunity. As far as the upcoming elections
are concerned, a Union Election Observation Mission has been deployed throughout the country since the
end of September 2003, aimed at monitoring the whole election process until the beginning of January
2004. In addition to providing a comprehensive report and recommendations on the election process, the
Union Election Observation Mission seeks to enhance the confidence of Guatemalan voters in the electoral
process and to reduce tension and violence in the country.

in Guatemala by means of co-operation
It should be underlined that
programmes aimed at encouraging the local counterparts and authorities to make progress in areas such as
the promotion of human rights or the justice system, including the ‘EU Initiative for Democracy and
Human Rights’ (EIDHR).

the Commission is present

Finally, one of the Commission’s main objectives further to the Consultative Group Meeting held in
Guatemala City in May 2003, is to encourage the Guatemala authorities and society to accelerate the
implementation of the Peace Accords signed in 1996, as well as to promote human rights and the fight
against impunity.

(2004/C 88 E/0458)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3080/03

by David Bowe (PSE) to the Commission

(20 October 2003)

Subject: Water supply in Palestine

The World Health Organisation’s recognised minimum domestic water consumption is 100 litres per
capita per day. Figures show that the current domestic water supply for Palestinians is only 57-76 litres
per capita per day, whilst Israeli consumption is approximately four times that amount.

Is the EU taking action to encourage a more equitable division of this resource? If not, why not?