WRITTEN QUESTION E-3305/03 by Claude Moraes (PSE) to the Commission. Human rights in Tunisia.
Date: 2003-11-10
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU relations, Tunisia, association agreement (EU), human rights

8.4.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 88 E/641

The general rule in relation to rates of VAT, however, is that the standard rate applies. Member States have
the option of applying a reduced rate which may explain why some have a reduced rate in this respect and
others do not.

To conclude, there appears to be no need for further special measures to reduce the rate of VAT in this
sector.

(1) COM(2003) 301 final.
(2) COM(2000) 348 final.
(3) COM(2003) 397 final.
(4) Sixth Council Directive 77/388/CEE of 17 May 1977 on the harmonisation of the laws of the Member States

relating to turnover taxes, OJ L 145, 13.6.1977.

(2004/C 88 E/0657)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3305/03

by Claude Moraes (PSE) to the Commission

(10 November 2003)

Subject: Human rights in Tunisia

Article 2 of an Association Agreement with Tunisia states that ‘Relations between parties, as well the
Agreement itself, shall be based on respect for human rights and democratic principles which guide their
domestic and international policies and constitute an essential element of the Agreement.’ Yet despite this,
and President Zine El Ben Ali’s commitment to improve their human rights record, these rights are
continually abused.

Could the Commission please explain what measures, if any, are in place to ensure that such pledges to
respect human rights are actually being enforced by authorities in Tunisia?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(12 December 2003)

The Union-Tunisia Association agreement contains an article outlining what the parties consider as the
essential values and principles underpinning their association.

The Association agreement provide for the necessary structures to discuss all aspects of the agreement,
namely the Association Council
the Association Committee (senior officials) and, since
September 2003, a series of sector specific sub-committees (experts). All of these fora are competent to
deal with issues concerning human rights and democracy in the appropriate way.

(ministerial),

In addition, the recent Association Council held on 30 September 2003 agreed that ‘should the parties so
decide … these issues may also be discussed by a specific working party or sub-committee of the
Association Committee’. Human rights issues were also discussed during the political dialogue that took
place with Tunisia on 29 September 2003 in the margins of the Association Council.

In this context the Union recalled the ‘importance it attaches to pursuing and deepening discussions on
human rights and democratisation with Tunisia in a structured way and in view of reaching points of
common understanding on these issues’ (Union Declaration at the 4th Association Council). Such specific
sub-committees are already being established with Morocco and Jordan. Such consultations are in addition
to the traditional diplomatic instruments such as demarches and declarations made by the Union with the
aim of promoting human rights objectives.

The actual impact of these consultations obviously depends on the strength with which they are delivered
(the Commission always acts on these issues in tight coordination with the Member States) and the way in
which they are received by the Partner country. It is believed that both the Commission’s initiatives on a
Wider Europe neighbourhood policy and its Communication on reinforcing human rights in the
Mediterranean (1) will be useful
formal
commitments.

to more action behind their

for our partners

incentives

C 88 E/642

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

8.4.2004

In addition, the Commission is setting up co-operation programmes funded by MEDA in support of the
Tunisian Media (training of journalists) and modernisation of the judiciary. Non-governmental organi-
sations working to advance human rights in Tunisia have access to funding under the European Initiative
for Democracy and Human Rights 2002-2004, which has Tunisia as one of its ‘focus countries’ for this
period.

(1) COM(2003) 294 final.

(2004/C 88 E/0658)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3310/03

by Philip Claeys (NI) to the Commission

(10 November 2003)

Subject: Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline; violations of the ‘acquis communautaire’ by Turkey

In connection with the construction of an oil pipeline between Baku (Azerbaijan) via Tbilisi (Georgia) to
Ceyhan (Turkey), Turkey has allegedly violated a number of provisions concerning the environment and
human rights which it would have had to comply with if European law applied to Turkey. There have not
been any serious environmental
impact assessments, property has been expropriated unlawfully, etc.
Various NGOs have already protested about this.

The State of Turkey is one of the main partners in the consortium which intends to construct the pipeline.
However, as it is also an applicant country, it may reasonably be expected to abide by the Copenhagen
criteria, including therefore the ‘acquis communautaire’. The above-mentioned project makes it clear that it
is no means doing so.

To what extent is the Commission monitoring developments with regard to the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan
pipeline? Has it contacted the Turkish authorities on the subject? If so, what was the outcome of the
discussions?

Turkey receives pre-accession aid from the European Union. Will the Commission consider freezing this
aid (or perhaps only part of it) if Turkey continues to disregard the Copenhagen criteria? Is there a specific
timetable for this?

Answer given by Mr Verheugen on behalf of the Commission

(5 December 2003)

In its regular report on Turkey’s progress towards accession published on 5 November 2003,
the
Commission sets out its assessment of developments over the last year and the overall situation with
regard to human rights and the protection of minorities.

As regards the specific questions raised by the Honourable Member concerning the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil
pipeline project, any potential violations as regards human rights arising from the implementation of the
pipeline project would have to be considered in the context of the Copenhagen political criteria.

Turkey is at this stage not bound by the environmental
environmental
conditions of international lending organisations.

impact assessments have been carried out for this project,

‘acquis’, but the Commission is aware that
for example, to meet the

The Commission continues to observe the developments with regard to this project.

(2004/C 88 E/0659)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-3331/03

by Anne Van Lancker (PSE) to the Commission

(5 November 2003)

Subject: Defunding HIV/AIDS prevention programmes for refugees

On 27 August 2003, the US State Department announced that it would withhold funding for an HIV/
AIDS prevention programme for refugees run by the RHR Consortium. (The members of the Consortium
are the following: American Refugee Committee (ARC), CARE, Columbia University Heilbrunn Center for