WRITTEN QUESTION P-0109/04 by Claude Moraes (PSE) to the Commission. Sikhs and the banning of religious articles of faith.
Date: 2004-01-19
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: freedom of religious beliefs, internal law of religions, religious group, rights of minorities

27.3.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 78 E/933

Is the Commission of the opinion that even if the death penalty is permissible under international law,
there should be a fair and lengthy appeals process before execution takes place? Therefore given that these
mobile execution vans preclude any form of appeal for those convicted of capital offences (which in the
People’s Republic of China can include ‘economic crimes’) this will inevitably result in miscarriages of
justice. Therefore, if the allegations prove to be true, Fiat of Italy should be condemned for participating in
such a tender.

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(13 February 2004)

The Commission has no information on the possible involvement of European companies in invitations to
tender published by the People’s Republic of China for the purchase of vehicles for the purpose of
executions.

In its bilateral dialogue with China on human rights, the EU has never stopped reiterating its fundamental
opposition to the death penalty, regardless of the methods used, including that cited by the Honourable
Member. It has also regularly pressed (cid:1) and will continue to press (cid:1) the Chinese authorities, in the
present circumstances, to see that the fundamental rights of the condemned, including the right to appeal
against their sentence, are respected in full.

(2004/C 78 E/0987)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0109/04

by Claude Moraes (PSE) to the Commission

(19 January 2004)

Subject: Sikhs and the banning of religious articles of faith

Is the European Commission aware of the implications for the Sikh community in any EU Member State
which is considering the banning of religious articles of faith?

Is any action or analysis of this situation, which is of deepening concern to ethnic minority Europeans,
being taken at EU level?

Answer given by Mr Vitorino on behalf of the Commission

(17 February 2004)

The Commission is monitoring the developments the Honourable Member refers to through an ongoing
dialogue with religious and ideological groups, based on deep respect for religious diversity. Should
violations of
the
Commission would take the appropriate action to ensure that these rights were respected.

fundamental rights (including freedom of religion) occur, under Community law,

(2004/C 78 E/0988)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0126/04

by Jean Lambert (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(19 January 2004)

Subject: Permits for capture, breeding and trading of protected species in Greece in violation of EU

legislation

From August 2002 to January 2003, Greece has issued permits to a private company to capture and use as
breeding stock for subsequent selling a large number of reptiles and amphibians (ranging from 220 to 600
per species to a total of 8 540) from a large number of species (a total of 90 species), without any other
the capture. The permits include
restrictions about

the time and the circumstances of

the place,