WRITTEN QUESTION E-0492/04 by José Ribeiro e Castro (UEN) to the Commission. Mozambique — possible trafficking in human organs — threats to EU citizens.
Date: 2004-02-23
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU national, EU relations, Mozambique, cooperation policy, fight against crime, public safety, trade in organs

8.4.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 88 E/503

This reply leaves various questions unanswered, which contain the clear insinuation ‘who, in the end of the
day, sabotaged the Zimbabwean economy? Who is responsible for the difficulties which Zimbabweans are
facing?’.

Is the Commission aware of this reply?

How would it describe it, both in formal and material terms?

What comments does it have on the accusations levelled at the European Parliament and the governments
of the Member States?

Does it intend to reply to the Zimbabwean Government? Has it already done so? In what shape and
through what channels?

Does it remain convinced that the elections in Zimbabwe were neither free nor fair?

How does it rate the credibility of the alleged ‘occurrences’ referred to, and the accusations made against
the European Parliament by the Zimbabwean Government?

Answer given by Mr Nielson on behalf of the Commission

(6 April 2004)

The Commission is aware of the reply mentioned by the Honourable Member as the Embassy of the
Republic of Zimbabwe transmitted to the Commission a copy of its letter to the President of the
Parliament attaching its response to the Parliament’s Resolution on Zimbabwe.

By note verbale of 20 February 2004, the Commission acknowledged receipt without adding any comment
on the content of the Government of Zimbabwe’s response.

The Commission does not share the analysis made by the Zimbabwean authorities.

The Commission has not changed its view on the conduct of the March 2002 presidential elections which
intimidation and the electoral
were considered to be characterised by the systematic use of violence,
manipulation, which led the EU to conclude that the outcome did not fairly reflect the will of the
Zimbabwean people.

The Commission’s critical opinion on the current situation is well known. It is the basis for its recent
proposal, approved by the Council, to extend for a further period of 12 months the measures against
Zimbabwe. Moreover, the Commission has taken every opportunity to convey to the Government of
Zimbabwe its concern at the present state of affairs. The Commission recalls the declarations issued by the
EU related to the stay-away on 3 June 2003, the declaration on Freedom of Press issued on 18 September
2003, the declarations issued on 28 November 2003 and most recently on 10 February 2004 on recent
events in Zimbabwe. These declarations call the Government of Zimbabwe to respect fundamental rights
urging it to engage in active and meaningful dialogue with internal stakeholders on a way forward to solve
the current crisis.

(2004/C 88 E/0515)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0492/04

by José Ribeiro e Castro (UEN) to the Commission

(23 February 2004)

Subject: Mozambique (cid:1) possible trafficking in human organs (cid:1) threats to EU citizens

Five ‘Servants of Mary’ missionaries (four EU citizens of Spanish nationality and one Brazilian) who have
been working in the Nampula region for over 30 years have received death threats for having reported the
existence of trafficking in human organs and the deaths of children and young people in that region. The
threats were recently reported in the media.

C 88 E/504

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

8.4.2004

The missionaries’ convent is located between the property to which the victims are brought and the airport
to which it is suspected that the human organs are sent. The nuns claim to have heard evidence from
individuals who managed to escape kidnap attempts and took refuge in the convent and to hold a variety
of documentary evidence. A Brazilian nun (cid:1) Sister Maria Elilda dos Santos (cid:1) who first drew attention to
this state of affairs made inquiries in Nampula and discovered, in particular, a corpse from which the eyes,
hearts and kidneys had been removed.

As soon as the nuns reported such macabre practices they became the target of repeated threats and of
four ambush attempts which, miraculously, they survived. They fear for their safety and they accuse the
local authorities (which have apparently done nothing meaningful so far to combat the crimes reported) of
corruption. They are calling for pressure to be exerted via the international press with a view to remedying
the situation.

Would the Commission answer the following questions:

(cid:1) is it aware of the above facts, which relate in particular to four EU citizens? What information does it
hold regarding the nuns’ safety and what action has it taken (or is it intending to take) in order to
guarantee their safety;

(cid:1) in particular, has the Commission established (or is it intending to establish) contact with the
Mozambique authorities in order to ensure that the nuns’ safety is guaranteed and that the suspected
trafficking in the region concerned is fully investigated? Is the Commission willing (and, if so, in what
ways?) to help ensure that the nuns in question are able to enjoy the freedom and the safety which
they need in order to be able to continue their work, which includes caring for and assisting the
people affected and fully investigating the disappearance of persons in the region concerned?

Answer given by Mr Nielson on behalf of the Commission

(6 April 2004)

Since these abominable alleged crimes were reported and as indicated in the Commission’s reply to the
Honourable Member written questions E-0143/04 and E-0072/04 (1), the Commission has been following
closely the situation with the EU Head of Missions, the Director of the Human Right League (LDH), and
the government.

The Government of Mozambique,
through the Republic’s General Prosecutor’s office, has started
investigations, with a multi-institutional team including the Attorney General’s office, the investigative
police and the Nampula branch of LDH. The investigation is ongoing and will go deeper into the reported
cases, although from the 14 alleged cases no evidence could be established that human organs are subject
to illegal trafficking. Furthermore, there is the political will in Mozambique to bring before the court any
persons responsible for these crimes.

The Commission is aware of the concern regarding the nuns’ safety and although this matter falls outside
the Commission’s competence and can be best addressed through interventions from the respective EU
Embassies, the Commission will examine within the framework of the EU co-ordination and EU-Moz-
ambique political dialogue the most appropriate way to raise this issue with the government.

The Honourable Member can be assured that the Commission, within its competence, will continue
supporting the Government of Mozambique to reinforce its investigative capacity so that justice prevails in
this country.

(1) See page 169.