WRITTEN QUESTION E-0235/04 by Miet Smet (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Violation of human rights of Cacarica communities in Colombia.
Date: 2004-02-02
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Colombia, EU relations, aid to refugees, common foreign and security policy, human rights, international sanctions, political violence

C 84 E/338

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

3.4.2004

(2004/C 84 E/0397)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0235/04

by Miet Smet (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(2 February 2004)

Subject: Violation of human rights of Cacarica communities in Colombia

For some years now, Colombia has been ravaged by violence between the government-backed army,
paramilitaries and various guerrilla movements. This violence has also affected Colombian citizens, directly
or indirectly. Members of
in the
departamento of Chocó, say they are being forced to leave their homes.

the Cacarica communities, who live in the Cacarica river basin,

In 2000, these Cacarica communities reached agreement with the government of the then president
Pastrana allowing their safe return. They also urged that, as private citizens, they should not be affected by
the conflict. With the help of international organisations and the Justicia y Paz Commission, few problems
arose in the initial phase after their return.

Recently, however, the Cacarica communities have been accused by both the military and the guerilla
fighters of siding with their respective enemies. These accusations have been accompanied by renewed
violence. Even human rights activists have been threatened, and recent statements by President Uribe and
certain of his ministers have called into question the legitimacy of the work carried out by human rights
organisations.

Has the European Commission already reacted to the violations of human rights in Colombia?

If so, has the Colombian Government already reacted to this approach?

If not, can the Commission urge the Colombian Government to adopt the UNHCR’s recommendations,
guarantee the protection of human rights activists and strive to find a peaceful solution to the conflict,
which has already lasted a number of years?

In the event that the Colombian Government has not responded or does not respond to the Commission’s
approach, does the Commission intend to impose sanctions on Colombia?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(12 March 2004)

the
The Commission fully supports the Colombian Government
production of, and traffic in, illegal drugs and in its sustained efforts to establish a state which exercises
all its functions everywhere in Colombian territory and guarantees the safety of all its citizens. Like the
Honourable Member,
importance (cid:1) and pays particular
attention (cid:1) to the human rights situation in Colombia, particularly the rights of those displaced by the
conflict.

the Commission also attaches the greatest

in its struggle against

terrorism,

This was made very clear at recent meetings between members of the Commission and of the Colombian
Government (visit by Vice-President Santos to Brussels on 2 December 2003, visit by Mr Patten, Member
of the Commission, to Colombia on 21/22 January 2004, visit by President Uribe to Brussels and
Strasbourg on 9/10 February 2004). More specifically,
the
‘27 recommendations’ drawn up by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, as set out
in the London Declaration of 10 July 2004, would be implemented promptly. The Commission also
informed the Colombian Government of its hope that when displaced persons returned home they did so
voluntarily and only when all conditions, particularly that of safety, had been fulfilled.

the Commission expressed its hope that

Support for a negotiated solution to the conflict in Colombia is the corner stone of the EU’s policy on
Colombia. In particular, the Commission supports the efforts deployed by the UN Secretary-General
through his special Adviser, Mr James LeMoyne.

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Official Journal of the European Union

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The Commission regards non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and civil society as essential partners in
the search for a lasting negotiated solution in Colombia and has stated so publicly and repeatedly (1). What
is more, historically, some 50 % of all Community programmes have been implemented via NGOs.

In addition, the Commission provides specific support for the defenders of human rights and displaced
persons. Colombia is one of the target countries and main beneficiaries of the ‘European Initiative for
Democracy and Human Rights’ (Budget Article 19 04 03). A total of 19 projects is under way, involving
over EUR 15 million, 19 local NGOs, 7 European NGOs, 2 universities and the Colombian Office of the
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. Displaced persons benefit
from both the emergency
humanitarian aid provided by ECHO, the European Humanitarian Aid Office (EUR 8 million in 2003,
spread over 13 European NGOs, Budget Chapter 23 02), and from the instrument specifically for displaced
persons (Budget Article 19 09 03, which provided just under EUR 10 million in 2003).

Recently, the conclusions of the Foreign Relations Council of 26 January 2004 also showed that the
human rights situation,
like the humanitarian situation, are an integral part of the European Union’s
foreign and security policy.

Concerning the particular question raised by the Honourable Member, the Commission is monitoring the
situation of the Cacarica communities in Colombia very closely, in particular through the human rights
office of its Delegation in Colombia.

(1) http://www.delcol.cec.eu.int/es/novedades/boletin_61.htm

(2004/C 84 E/0398)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0237/04

by Miet Smet (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(2 February 2004)

Subject: Fees at the European Schools

Some weeks ago, the European Commission wrote a letter to the Board of Governors of the European
Schools proposing a drastic increase in the level of school fees for pupils at the European Schools. There is
even talk of raising the annual fee to EUR 12 500 per pupil. Can further clarification be provided regarding
the Commission’s proposal and the reasons for this drastic increase?

Pupils at the European Schools are divided into three categories. Each category pays a different amount in
fees. Can further clarity be provided on the division of pupils into categories, the respective level of fees for
pupils of different categories, and future trends?

Answer given by Mr Kinnock on behalf of the Commission

(11 March 2004)

Article 1 of the Convention defining the Statute of the European Schools specifies that the prime purpose
of the Schools is ‘to educate together children of the staff of the European Communities’. Those pupils are
defined as category 1 pupils and no fees are paid by their parents because approximately 60 % of the
European Schools’ funding is provided from the EU budget. Articles 28 and 29 of the same Convention
allow for Participation Agreements to be drawn up with other organisations governed by public or private
law so that the children of their staff may attend the European Schools. These are defined as category
2 pupils, and the bodies with which the agreements are concluded pay fees which cover 100 % of the
calculated cost of their education in each European School. In addition to the children referred to above,
the Convention also allows for ‘other children’ to attend the European Schools, ‘within the limits set by the
Board of Governors’. These are defined as category 3 pupils and, because of the EU Budget subsidies paid