WRITTEN QUESTION E-3603/03 by José Ribeiro e Castro (UEN) to the Commission. Portuguese Overseas War veterans — disabilities.
Date: 2003-12-05
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: European social policy, Portugal, action programme, ex-serviceman, health policy, integration of people with disabilities

27.3.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 78 E/607

Joint answer
to Written Questions E-3602/03 and E-3665/03
given by Mr Prodi on behalf of the Commission

(10 February 2004)

The Commission would like to reassure the Honourable Members that Article 51 of
the draft
Constitutional Treaty, which is entitled ‘the status of Churches and non-confessional organisations’, and
which provides for a dialogue with such organisations, does not foreshadow any loss of status for non-
confessional organisations. The dialogue referred to is in fact already organised on a regular basis, notably
in the aftermath of European Councils, and the established practise will continue. The Commission is not
aware of any particular dissatisfaction with this dialogue, on the part of non-confessional organisations.

The meeting referred to by the Honourable Member on 21 October 2003, was in fact an information
meeting in advance of a conference to be held later on in Rome, at the initiative and under the
organisation of the Presidency of the Council at that time.

Due to the fact that the Italian Presidency sought contact with experts from religious organisations for
their Conference in Rome, it merely chose to take advantage of the opportunity offered by the presence in
Brussels of such organisations (cid:1) amongst others (cid:1) who had come for one of the regular dialogue
meetings.

(2004/C 78 E/0642)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3603/03

by José Ribeiro e Castro (UEN) to the Commission

Subject: Portuguese Overseas War veterans (cid:1) disabilities

(5 December 2003)

In its Resolution of 15 July 2003 (1) the Council drew attention to the declaration issued by the Ministers
responsible (in Málaga on 8 May 2003), which states that improving the quality of life for people with
disabilities and for their families is ‘one of the main aims of the next decade’.

Parliament too has adopted several resolutions on the same subject, including its resolution of 3 September
2003 on the Commission Communication entitled ‘Towards a United Nations legally binding instrument
to promote and protect the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities’, which also points to the duty of
meeting the needs of people with ‘hidden’ disabilities.

Over and above the issue of the disabled in general, there is a specific group in Portugal not receiving any
kind of special attention, namely the numerous Portuguese veterans of the ‘Overseas War’, fought between
1961 and 1974 in Angola, Mozambique, and Guinea-Bissau.

Some 800 000 men served in the Portuguese armed forces in those parts of the world, and many came
back crippled or maimed or are now suffering from chronic psychological disorders resulting from
exposure to traumatic stress factors in warfare. These are termed military-related Post-Traumatic Stress
Disorder, defined as a type of anxiety disorder in DSM-IV, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental
Disorders, published by the American Psychiatric Association.

Portugal has been seeking to honour its obligations to those who became disabled during their military
service, but European solidarity and shared experience could also be very useful in relieving the special
problems of fellow citizens in this situation.

What measures has the Commission taken or will it take in connection with the European Year of People
with Disabilities specifically with a view to integrating war-disabled people such as the veterans who
served in the Portuguese ‘overseas provinces’? What measures does it recommend?

C 78 E/608

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

27.3.2004

Given the seriousness of ‘hidden’ illnesses, the category which can be said to include Post-Traumatic Stress
Disorder, what specific steps does the Commission think could be taken both to remedy the lack of
information about the causes, symptoms, and consequences of this form of disability and to rehabilitate
and integrate the sufferers? Will it take any action in this area?

(1) OJ C 175, 24.7.2003, p. 1.

Answer given by Ms Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission

(16 January 2004)

The specific issue of the integration of people disabled as a result of their participation in military action is
the responsibility of the Member States.

However, the Commission has a long tradition of promoting the rights and the inclusion of disabled
people in social and economic life. To quote just a few examples: the European Social Fund contributes to
the integration of disabled people in the labour market. Other Community funds (1) are used to improve
health infrastructures, promote the social inclusion of disabled people in society, combat discrimination,
etc. Moreover, on the basis of a proposal from the Commission, the Council has adopted Directive 2000/
78/EC of 27 November 2000 establishing a general framework for equal treatment in employment and
occupation (2). This Directive prohibits any discrimination, direct or indirect, based on belief, disability, age
or sexual orientation. It is also to be hoped that it will help to improve the low employment rate among
disabled people who can work. In the context of its external and development aid policy, the Commission
supports projects contributing to the reintegration of disabled people in active life, the improvement of
rehabilitation systems, etc.

As part of the European Year of People with Disabilities in 2003, and to keep disability high on the
European political agenda, the Commission adopted a Communication entitled ‘Equal opportunities for
people with disabilities: A European Action Plan’ (3), with the aim of establishing a long-term, operational
approach to disability for the future, taking into account the forthcoming enlargement of the EU. The
Communication provides for a multiannual Action Plan to mainstream disability issues into relevant
Community policies and develop concrete actions in crucial areas to enhance the full integration of people
with disabilities in society and the economy by 2010.

In implementing the health information and knowledge strand of the Public Health Programme, the
Commission has set up a working party on mental health to improve the information available in the area
of mental disorders, develop relevant mental health indicators and make them operational. The working
party on mental health met for the first time in November 2003. A specific task force for mental health
indicators has been established. Research into and the treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder are not
covered by the Public Health Programme.

(1)

FEDER, Community programmes in the area of education, training and youth, the EQUAL initiative, the Anti-
discrimination programme, the programme to combat social exclusion, etc.

(2) OJ L 303, 2.12.2000.
(3) COM(2003) 650.

(2004/C 78 E/0643)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3604/03

by José Ribeiro e Castro (UEN) to the Commission

(5 December 2003)

Subject: East Timor (cid:1) Emergency aid

The Commission has announced its intention to grant EUR 2 million in humanitarian aid to the
population of East Timor to help combat drought and the food shortage.