WRITTEN QUESTION E-3080/03 by David Bowe (PSE) to the Commission. Water supply in Palestine.
Date: 2003-10-20
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU relations, Israel, Palestine, water requirements, water resources, water supply

8.4.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 88 E/449

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?