WRITTEN QUESTION E-3357/03 by Stavros Xarchakos (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Affront to the church of Ayia Sofia in Istanbul.
Date: 2003-11-13
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Türkiye, accession to the European Union, cultural heritage, heritage protection, religious discrimination, religious institution

8.4.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 88 E/643

Population and Family Health, International Rescue Committee (IRC), JSI Research and Training Institute
(JSI R & T), Marie Stopes International (MSI) and Women’s Commission for Refugee Women and Children
(WCRWC)).

Subsequently, on 29 August 2003, President Bush issued a Memorandum extending the ‘Mexico City
Policy’, which had previously only applied to programmes administered by the US Agency for
International Development (USAID), to all voluntary population planning funds administered by the State
Department. The State Department is still assessing which other programmes and organisations could be
affected by this expansion of the US policy.

In view of this latest development, would the Commission be prepared once again to make funds available
to minimise the damage caused to HIV prevention programmes for refugees?

Answer given by Mr Nielson on behalf of the Commission

(11 December 2003)

The Commission is concerned about decisions taken by the American administration to implement the so-
called Mexico City Policy. This policy seriously undermines efforts by various organisations to address
effectively the threat posed by the human immunodeficiency virus/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome
(HIV/AIDS) to the health and life of people living in developing countries and to development overall. The
Commission is very active in supporting prevention of HIV/AIDS in accordance with the framework of its
Programme for Action on communicable diseases, targeting HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria, including,
inter alia, substantial donations to the Global Fund (GFATM).

To help to address the lack of funding for certain key organisations, due to decisions taken by the United
States, the Commission has decided to support the United Nations Fund for Population Activities (UNFPA)
through additional funding. No specific funds have been allocated to address in particular HIV/AIDS
among refugees. However, within the health programmes in refugee camps, the Commission funds a
variety of activities. The activities funded in a specific country take into account the host country context,
the dialogue with the national authorities, and the situation of the refugees vis à vis the local population to
avoid discrepancies between the living conditions of the two groups.

The Commission’s Humanitarian Office (ECHO), has in that perspective funded HIV/AIDS awareness
raising activities including ‘theatre plays’ about HIV/AIDS issues, and standardised training material for
training of local staff in refugee camps, transfer centres and for refugees going back to their country of
origin. Also, the Commission has supported measures to ensure safe blood transfusion and application of
universal precautions, condom distribution and tracing of sexually transmitted infections (STI). Ill refugees
visiting the health centres in the camps are offered testing and counselling, but for care and treatment they
are referred to national hospitals.

(2004/C 88 E/0660)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3357/03

by Stavros Xarchakos (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(13 November 2003)

Subject: Affront to the church of Ayia Sofia in Istanbul

The church of Ayia Sofia in Istanbul (which forms part of the world cultural heritage and stands as the
ultimate symbol of Christianity, regardless of creed) is yet again the target of the Turkish authorities’
destructive and invidious policies. In the last few days, the international press has reported that an utterly
tasteless, plastic ‘greenhouse’ has been set up inside the church(!) exhibiting ‘works of art’ made of …
lettuce(!) by some Asiatic artist or other. This entire ‘creation’
is set off by the addition of television
monitors placed at various points within the church which broadcast Muslim religious services at high
volume. The contempt shown by the Turkish authorities towards a church whose history goes back several

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Official Journal of the European Union

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8.4.2004

centuries and which stands as the symbol of a great Christian empire, the Byzantine, which flourished for
more than 1000 years, is yet another indication of how Turkey (a candidate for accession to the EU)
interprets respect for the symbols of other religions.

What action can the Commission take as a matter of urgency to place this symbolic Christian church
under the protection of a European organisation (with the possible participation of the Commission’s
Directorate-General for Education and Culture) to guard it against the kind of desecration and damage
described above?

Answer given by Mr Verheugen on behalf of the Commission

(22 December 2003)

reply to written questions E-2962/03 by Mr Alavanos (1) and E-2995/03 by Ms Kratsa-
In its
Tsagaropoulou (2),
the Commission has commented on concerns similar to those expressed by the
Honourable Member. The Commission monitors the progress achieved by Turkey in adopting the relevant
‘acquis’ in the area of culture, as part of Turkey’s preparations for membership. Safeguarding the national
heritage is not part of Community competence.

As regards any possible action, the Community’s financial assistance programme for Turkey does not allow
to provide support for conserving and restoring religious or cultural works, such as those stored in the
Hagia Sofia.

(1) OJ C 78 E, 27.3.2004, p. 771.
(2) See page 125.

(2004/C 88 E/0661)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3366/03

by Avril Doyle (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(14 November 2003)

Subject: Human rights situation in Chechnya

Can the Commission outline what action has been taken by the European Union to highlight the human
rights violations and the breaches of international humanitarian law in Chechnya, with particular reference
to the cases of Said-Khusein Imakaev and his father Said Khusein.

Can the Commission also indicate whether these issues will be discussed at the imminent EU-Russian
Summit to be held in Rome on 6 November and give a brief report on the outcome of this meeting, with
particular reference to Chechnya.

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(18 December 2003)

The Commission is closely following developments in Chechnya. The Commission supports a political
solution to the conflict, which respects Russia’s territorial integrity, as well as all genuine efforts to bring
about a lasting peace.

The Commission is aware of, and concerned about, disturbing reports of human rights violations in
Chechnya. The Commission is also aware of the case to which reference is made, which has been
presented to the European Court of Human Rights. Regrettably, it is not isolated: a total of 2 343 people
have disappeared since August 1999, according to data from the office of Mr Sultygov, the Presidential
Representative for Human Rights in Chechnya. Human Rights organisations report that several hundred
people have gone missing in Chechnya (many of them in forced disappearances) in 2003.